But in the end, one needs more courage to live than to kill himself. ― Albert Camus
More than a lakh people die by suicide every year in the country, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), making ‘suicide’ a pertinent issue for discussion. Each suicide not only means premature end to a life but also immeasurable loss and pain to the family.
The NCRB data shows that the rate of suicides in the country in 2019 increased by 3.4% from the previous year. This further increased in the following years as the pandemic upended life and threw many into depression. In Meghalaya too, cases of suicide have seen a rise, as per the state police data.
Dr Sonali Shinde Tesia, a city-based psychiatrist, said suicide is highly preventable and survivors often regret taking the step.
“More women attempt suicide but more men complete the process. This happens worldwide, except China… 90% of the people who complete suicide were depressed at the time of killing themselves,” said Tesia.
Conversation is important if one identifies signs of depression in a person. A person, when depressed, often withdraws from the daily rhythm of life. Thoughts of death or mention of dying during casual conversations with family members or friends are common.
“When a person says ‘what’s the point in living’ or ‘it’s better to die’, or similar such things, we often hush the person. That is incorrect. Instead to silencing the person, we should get into a conversation to understand why the person is saying so. If we cannot help, at least we can listen. We should also suggest medical help,” Tesia explained.
The multiple waves of the pandemic in the last two years and various phases of lockdown affected the mental health of many people. A study published in The Lancet said suicide rates among youths increased during the pandemic, especially between August-November 2020, relative to the pre-pandemic time. The reasons were multi-factorial, including mental health issues and disruptions in social relationships.
Tesia said the next two years’ data will be interesting to study. If the pandemic was the reason for a spurt in suicide rate, then it should fall in the next two years.
To a query, Tesia said it is important to visit a clinical psychiatrist. “If one is doubtful about whom to approach, one should go the psychiatry department at Civil Hospital. A clinical psychiatrist can guide the patient and can understand whether a person requires medication or counselling,” she added.
~ Team Sunday Monitor
