Hyderabad, September 08: Students between the ages of 15 and 22 account for the most number of suicides in the state, which has the second highest rate of suicide in the country after West Bengal, according to government experts and NGOs who are observing suicide prevention week.
“The 2010 crime reports indicate that on an average, there are 43 suicides in AP every day, of which three suicides occur in Cyberabad. Betw-een April and June 2010, 52 students from corporate colleges committed suicide due to academic pressure,” said Ranjana Haladker, director of NGO Roshni that works with the depressed and suicidal.
She says that 90 per cent of suicides can be prevented though proper treatment for depression and counselling and by providing emotional support. Yet, the State still has no exclusive helpline for those seeking help and counselling.
Dr V. Pramod Kumar, superintendent of Govern-ment Institute of Mental Health, said: “In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of student suicide and attempt to suicide, especially in cities. Parental pressure and forcing children to perform beyond their potential, competition to get into prestigious institutes, comparison with peer group, and academic pressure at schools and colleges are combining to push students to the edge. Those with family history of suicide or tendency to commit suicide are the ones more vulnerable.”
Dr S.S.R.Y. Srinivas, assistant professor of GIMH and former secretary of the Hyderabad Psychiatry Society, said that though the official records of the National Crime Records Bureau state that almost 1.5 lakh suicides and 10 lakh attempts take place annually in India, the actual figures are higher.
“Sadly, not only are there no helpline numbers with the government, but psychiatrists and psychological counsellors too are few. Awareness about seeking professional help when depressed and suicidal is still very limited. AP has always been a hub of farm-er suicides, but now student suicides, especially from nuclear families, is high,” Dr Srinivas said.
Education policy makers, teachers, parents and students need to take the situation seriously and prevent this waste of young lives.
–Agencies–