Out of 365 days in a year, the Temple City witnesses 250 suicides. In the last three years – 2011, 2012 and 2013 — the number of recorded suicides were 260, 280 and 263 respectively.
It may sound alarming. But, it is a fact that unnatural ending of lives is prevalent mainly among the educated, teens (15 to 18 years), youth (22-29) and those in the productive age (35-42) group.
Though the government has mechanisms to offer psychological counselling, society’s cooperation is important to prevent unnatural deaths.
“Prevention is a challenge as things happen in less than a minute,” says Vasanth, a social worker.
“In many cases, the reasons for ending lives may be petty or incredible, but the action takes place in a few seconds. Expert advice or counselling is the only way to prevent suicidal tendencies in people undergoing turmoil. This may result in a timely change of mind and save lives,” he adds.
Psychologists who counsel adolescents opine that students, who score low marks or fail in examinations, have suicidal tendency. Parents are to be blamed partially and schools should refrain from exerting pressure on students. Slow learners and those with memory loss should be identified earlier and corrective measures introduced. This will help them in succeeding in final examinations.
There are NGOs, counsellors and lawyers to provide relief to victims, especially those who are trapped in mounting debts or prolonged illness. For those with marital problems, the Social Welfare Department officials lend a helping hand. Free legal aid clinics at district courts and police offices too render timely assistance.
The data with the Crime Records Bureau reveal that family problems claimed lives of 83 people, out of 263 suicide cases, in 2013, while 63 persons ended their lives due to mental illness or insanity. There is a high incidence of suicide attempts among alcoholics. There are also suicides due to failure in love and non-settlement of marriage.
Commissioner of Police Sanjay Mathur says that the police offer counselling at All Woman Police Station for persons facing marital problems and dowry harassment. Free legal aid clinics offer mediation in civil disputes. “I can say with confidence that such counselling has prevented people from ending their lives in an unnatural way.” Prevention is also possible when teachers identify students who require counselling, he underlines.
