Bengaluru may be the city of opportunity for many young people arriving here with hope in their eyes from various parts of the country. But the city’s fast life has a downside to it, leaving many lonely and in need of support. A distressing number commit suicide for reasons ranging from unemployment, failed affairs, and unhappy personal lives. Is there a way out of the malady?
The recent suicide of a 22-year-old engineering student of Horizon College, Neha Reddy, who leapt to her death from the fourth floor of a building in East Bengaluru Monday night, has once again raised concern about the growing number of young people taking their lives in the city.
For many young men and women, who come to Bengaluru from outside in search of employment and a better life, a fat bank account apparently doesn’t seem enough as the fast, fancy life they lead here is not always what it seems. And before they know it, they are drawn into a dark whirlpool of loneliness and depression, going by experts.
According to the data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) among the 53 mega cities, which have a population of over 10 lakh, Chennai reported the highest number of suicides with 2,214 deaths followed by Bengaluru (1,906), Delhi (1,847), Mumbai (1,196) and Bhopal (1,064) in 2014-15 .
In Bengaluru around 3000 people succeed in killing themselves every year and twenty times that number attempt suicide, going by mental health experts, which means that the city sees some 60,000 cases of attempted suicide
annually.
Bengaluru tops the list in suicides by housewives, students over academic failure, family problems, according to 2014 NCRB data
The city’s Vanivilas hospital sees two cases of attempted suicide by those below 18 every day and the government-run Victoria hospital treats some five suicide attempts a day in its casualty department. Data released by a counselling service company that caters to cities all across the country, is no less startling. It reveals that 680 suicidal people from the city have reached out to it seeking help over the last six years.
"Suicides are on the rise among youngsters and are more common in the 16 to 30 age group. Most youngsters today are coping with multiple stress factors due to the differences between their aspirations and reality and the comparisons by society and family members. Rising alcoholism also contributes to their mental state," says Dr H Chandrashekar, Professor and HOD, Department of Psychiatry, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI).
Mr Karuna Baskar, director of 1to1help.net believes that the lack of an adequate support system in the face of rising stress is also to blame.
“A large number of outsiders have moved into the city in search of work. Their roots are somewhere else, meaning that they have no immediate family to connect and talk to. And family is the ideal group to help such people," he points out. More females are prone to committing suicide than male both among the adolescents and the middle-aged , according to Dr P satish Chandra, former director, Nimhans. “But if the signs are identified at the right time and timely intervention provided many suicides can be prevented," he believes.
“Suicide needs attention at the school level where children are only made to concentrate on scores and not on life skill,” stresses Dr Chandrashekahar. The World Health Organisation (WHO) too emphasises that suicide needs to be treated as a public health problem not only because of the huge social and emotional burden it places on family and society, but also because there is a huge scope for prevention.
A suicidal person may:
- Talk about committing suicide
- Have trouble eating or sleeping
- Experience drastic changes in behaviour
- Withdraw from friends and/or social activities
- Lose interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
- Prepare for death by making a will and final arrangements.
- Take unnecessary risks
- Have had a recent severe loss
- Be preoccupied with death and dying
Those between 16 and 30 most prone: Dr Ajith Bhide
Dr Ajith Bhide, psychiatrist, St. Martha’s Hospital speaks to DC about the reasons behind increasing suicides.
When the city has so much to offer, why are suicides increasing here?
The city having 'so much to offer' has nothing to do with the rise in suicides. The urban young often don’t get enough by way of upbringing and value education and are left with superficial unenduring relationships at best. This is the major reason why many of them kill themselves.
Which age group is most at risk?
Not being an epidemiologist I cannot definitely say that a particular age group is at maximal risk. However, from my clinical work, I would definitely say that people between 16 and 30 are most prone to suicide, both attempts and successful ones.
Why can't it be prevented at the family level?
Family interactions need to be healthy over the years so the young person imbibes strength and values. I personally feel the presence of a strong dependable father figure in the adolescent years and a nurturing, affectionate mother figure in the early (0 to 10yrs) are important for healthy personality development, which includes perseverance and willingness to take on the challenges of life. Shrinking family sizes, absence of extended family support and few or no siblings, all contribute to a fragile personality structure. Healthy role modelling is a great asset in preventing suicide, though it is no guarantee against it.
How many cases of suicidal people have you treated ?
On an average about four new cases each week.
Are there symptoms?
Suicide is most often attempted due to depression. This is reflected in a pervasive sadness, sleep disturbance, poor appetite and withdrawal from social interaction. In some cases though, it is preceded by a pattern of excessive pleasure seeking, high irritability, poor frustration tolerance, verbal and/or physical violence, abuse of alcohol and drugs and rebellious behaviour.
How can we help make people mentally strong?
Besides strengthening the family factors mentioned above, healthy peer interaction, committed interest in a creative hobby, regular physical exercise and regular introspection help strengthen mental health.
