On World Suicide Prevention Day this year, the rumoured Blue Whale Challenge remains a concern that needs to be addressed, say those concerned.
With reports of children falling prey to the challenge being reported over the past three months, including those in India, the police in the city have taken note of it. The game with a list of challenges, including some that prompt infliction of self-harm and finally suicide, has prompted the cops to warn parents and teachers of school-going children about monitoring their internet use.
“Blue Whale is not a freely downloadable game. Children cannot access it on their smartphones through app stores or on social media platforms like Facebook. It is shared among secretive groups on social media networks. The creators seek out their players/victims and send them an invitation to join,” said Avinash Mohanty, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Crime Station.
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Though no incidents of suicide or self-harm linked to the challenge have been reported from the State, experts who provide counselling and therapy to those with suicidal tendencies say the underlying cause of depression must be addressed. This year’s theme for World Suicide Prevention Day, which falls on Sunday, urges all to intervene.
“A minute can change a life is the theme that calls on those who can influence, to intervene. This can include teachers in schools and colleges, peers and colleagues in a corporate setting,” said Tinky Bharadwaj of Roshini, an NGO that works to prevent suicides.
The NGO has been running a campaign at schools, colleges and places of work to create awareness on the recognising the signs of depression. A walk is being organised on Necklace Road to raise public awareness about the same on Sunday.
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The police, in their effort to tackle the Blue Whale Challenge, have been giving out similar advice. Their efforts seem pertinent given Telangana’s relatively high rate of suicides that stands at 27 per lakh of population, as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
“Observe any change in your child’s behaviour indicating sadness, avoiding communication, lack of interest in studies and falling grades or depression. Try to talk to them about issues they are facing personally,” the communication from the police reads.
Free consultation
KARIMNAGAR Special Correspondent adds: On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day observed on Sunday, the Karimnagar Psychiatry Society (KPS) has announced that free consultation and counselling would be offered to patients for a week by all the psychiatrists in the town. Disclosing this to newsmen here, KPS president K. Bhagya Reddy and general secretary P. Kishan said suicides were increasing owing to depression among people.
This year, the World Suicide Prevention Day would be observed under the theme ‘Taking a minute can change a life’. The KPS has decided to launch awareness programmes in all the educational institutions in the district. They have also produced a short film to discourage suicides. Psychiatrists M. Praveen Kumar, Laxman K.K., Pawan Kumar, Sai Krishna, Sanjay Kumar and others were present.