Bangalore: Suicides are preventable and not unavoidable aspects of mental illness. Medical professionals and the community should try to recognise people at risk and help them. This is what experts who participated in a symposium on "Reducing the risk of suicide and building awareness" highlighted on the occasion of World Mental Health Day here on Tuesday.

The symposium was organised by the Medico-Pastoral Association, which operates a suicide helpline and runs a half way home for people with mental illness.

J.W. Sabhaney, senior consultant neuropsychiatrist, who moderated the programme, said that according to World Health Organisation estimates, suicides and depression are the second most common cause of unnatural deaths after road accidents. By 2020, this may take the first place as a killer and early detection of high- risk persons and intervention was necessary to prevent suicides, he said.

Competitiveness, jealousy, lack of spirituality, unhealthy lifestyle and habits may cause problems for today's younger generation. "Bangalore, which was earlier a `pensioner's paradise' has now become a `call centre paradise.' High stress among young people in these jobs coupled with unhealthy habits and erratic lifestyle may lead to depression and other problems, which may lead to suicidal tendencies," he said.

M.V. Ashok, consultant psychiatrist at St. John's Medical College Hospital, said depression was unrecognised and often inadequately treated.

Physicians need to be made aware of how they could help people with depression or history of mental illness and also substance abuse, and how they could provide support, he said.

"We have to ask them the right questions, do regular follow up and referrals and put them in touch with counselling centres which can provide support. Past suicide attempts should also be taken into account," Dr. Ashok said.

Uttara Vidyasagar of Viveka Counselling Centre said medical professionals need to be more humane and should look out for signs such as hopelessness, helplessness and depression and for those who have suffered loss of some kind.

G. Swaminath of Ambedkar Medical College spoke on challenges in suicide prevention and responses from medical practice.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail