Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 10, 2007
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Saturday, Nov 10, 2007 ePaper |
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Tamil Nadu
Statistics with the City Police reveal that suicides are on the decline,writes V.S. Palaniappan 
Cases of people resorting to an extreme decision to end their lives due to various reasons earlier used to be on the higher side. In 2006, it was 317 whereas it had come down to 202 till date this year. Thanks to the economic and industrial revival that generated more employment opportunities, suicides due to poverty were on the decline. Change in perception and mindset in a growing urban ambience also prevented people from resorting to suicide even at the slightest pretext. Though on the decline, the number of suicide cases compared to 2006 was marginal indicating the need and scope for counselling centres and popularising them. The accuracy of the figures needs to be subjected to verification because in certain cases, because of the legal complications and peer pressure, family members tend to cover up suicide attempts. Deaths reported under suspicious circumstances with no light on whether they could be murders or suicide fall under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (death under suspicious circumstances). Ban and crackdown on sale of cow dung powder also helped in bringing down the number of suicide cases, police officials said. Punishment for suicide attempts under Section 309 of Indian Penal Code is one year rigorous imprisonment or fine or both. Suicides due to bankruptcy or sudden change in economic status came down from four in 2006 to one in 2007. Under the classification of causes not known and other causes for suicide, 31 cases were reported last year whereas it had come down to eight. D. Srinivasan, Chief Psychiatrist of Kovai Medical Center Hospital (running a counselling centre at Kasthuribhai Gandhi Centre on Kamarajar Road in Peelamedu for those with suicidal tendencies), says that the toll free number 106 is in existence for those who wish to have a ventilation at just dial-away for reasons of anonymity. He pointed out that the toll free number remained underutilised with just five to eight calls and calls from those with suicidal tendencies would be hardly two per month. He stressed the need for this helpline number and more such facilities to help people in depression to give a vent to their feelings so that suicides could be completely prevented.
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