Greater Chennai, increased suicides-Army must do more to combat the stigma of mental illness Sep 11, 2011

Greater Chennai, increased suicides

Sonali Shenoy, Prashanti Ganesh, The New Indian Express

Posted on Sep 11, 2011 at 11:55pm IST



CHENNAI: Most people ought to have been relieved when the suicide count in the city for 2010 came� down fractionally when compared to the figures of 2009. However, with the borders of Chennai being extended by the Corporation to include suburban areas into a 426 sq km metropolis, the combined suicide count of 2,513 deaths, is not only staggering but also puts it well ahead of the other suicide-leading metros like Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. In fact, taking this into account, almost a fifth of the suicides in Tamil Nadu happened in 'greater' Chennai last year, as was revealed during Suicide Prevention Day programmes in the city.

The numbers may have risen, but the age groups remain starkly similar in the suburbs. Statistics published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2009 reveal that more young adults (15-29 years) were killing themselves over middle-aged folk (30-44 years). “Middle-aged people are more prone to committing suicide because of job pressure, failed relationships and business losses to some extent, but youngsters' suicides are due to interpersonal relations,” says Dr Ramakrishnan, a psychiatrist, who is also the Executive Secretary - Nambikkai, a state-wide suicide prevention NGO.

However, a slew of unconventional causes that have been present for a while but largely unrecognised because of low numbers have begun to increase in the recent past. A total of 561 people ended their lives on account of infertility, barenness and impotency. Alarmingly, more than 400 of those dead, were women. “Sex and infertility are considered social problems instead of a personal problem in our country,” says Dr Kamraj, a fertility specialist. “The burden on women pushes them to take the extreme step, because they are usually blamed and face societal discrimination,” he adds. Another unacknowledged suicide causative, according to counselling psychologist Saras Bhaskar is, “When a woman bears a child with some illness or abnormality, she bears the brunt of the blame and this can lead to extreme measures.”

Although women are believed to try multiple attempts at suicide, the figures reveal that male suicides are double those of women in Chennai and the state. Police sources argue that several female suicides are misreported by the family to avoid a scandal, which is “understandable” in the suburbs, they add. S Geethalakshmi, Dean – Kilapuk Medical College and Hospital says, “Men are more prone to psychiatric problems because of alcohol abuse. They try to kill themselves in an intoxicated state.”

Ironically, a 2007 study conducted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club shows that people with a motive to kill themselves usually exhibit signs as early as a week before the attempt. Despite a spurt in suicide awareness of the city's growing suicide count, it seems that the masses still remain unaware of how to react when someone voices suicidal intent. Psychiatrist Arun Kumar states, “Victims admit this intent to family and friends, but they ignore signs.” Furthermore, he stresses, “There is a big misconception that if a doctor brings up suicide in the course of a session with a patient, that it is a suggestion. Even the slightest sign should not be ignored.”

Now, with private psychiatry taking a turn for the better, plush couches for treatment in an air conditioned office are a far cry from the confinement for a patient with a mental illness. However, some suicide prevention channels prefer not to intervene and leave the decision to them. S Gayathri, Director of SNEHA, the city’s oldest suicide helpline says, “We promise people who approach us emotional support and ensure complete confidentiality.” The fact that in the last one year, only one person who has approached them has committed suicide (according to a sample study carried out by the NGO) is evidence enough that emotional support can work wonders.

Even government bodies are stepping up to tackle this drastic incline. The suicide helpline at GH, Royapettah is evidence enough. Geethalakshmi, KMC states,�“We not only try to stabilise their physical condition but also put them through psychiatric analysis. We then determine the cause for the suicide attempt and counsel them. If it doesn’t work, we treat them with drugs.”

(Follow IBNLive.com on Facebook and on Twitter for updates that you can share with your friends.)