Stress on preventive steps to help stop suicides

16-Jun-2014

BANGALORE : The spate of suicides in the city, including the 10 reported over Friday and Saturday, is a cause of concern. Medical and psychological experts have underlined the need for educational institutions and workplaces to take preventive measures to stop people from committing suicide.

According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), as against every reported case of suicide, there are at least 10 attempt to commit suicide cases. And, the number of those contemplating suicide is not known.

NIMHANS has, in its study report, termed suicide as a public health issue. The report underlines the need for recognising those with suicidal tendencies the symptoms of which include loss of interest in work or studies, disturbed sleep, and increased inclination to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol.

Rani Shetty, counsellor at Parihar that runs the helplines at the Police Commissioner’s office, underlined the need to identify why any person has suicidal tendency. “As there are multiple causes of suicides, chalking out one single measure for prevention of suicides is not the solution,” she said. She also said that there was a need for all educational institutes and workplaces to have a full-time counsellor to address the issue.

According to Ms. Rani Shetty, there is a rise in the number of adolescents showing suicidal tendencies. “Many adolescents call the helpline and express their desire to commit suicide over trivial issues,” she added.

According to the Police, 2,033 unnatural deaths were reported in 2013. The number of suicides among these cases is yet to be tallied. As per statistics provided by the National Crime Records Bureau, 1,989 suicide cases were reported in Bangalore in 2012. Also, Bangalore accounted for 10 per cent of the 19,120 suicides reported in 88 cities during the year. This is a 15.8 per cent increase compared to 2011 when the number of suicides stood at 1,717.

The highest number of suicides in 2012 was reported in Chennai (2,183). The four metro cities — Chennai, Bangalore, New Delhi and Mumbai — contribute to about 35 per cent of the number of suicides reported in 88 cities.

Additional Commissioner (Crime) Pronab Mohanty said that it is difficult to attribute the 10 suicides reported over two days to any one reason.

“The incidence of 10 suicides over Friday and Saturday could be just a coincidence and no pattern can be determined when we look at the profiles of the dead persons,” he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/stress-on-preventive-steps-to-help-stop-suicides/article6117246.ece

Stigma still persists around mental illness

24-May-2014

Eeshanpriya MS

Pune: Social apathy and family acceptance for schizophrenia patients, a mental ailment where a person loses touch with reality, is a major hinderance in the cure of the disease. According to doctors, the number of schizophrenia cases has increased in the city, but the social acceptability of the ailment has not changed. A disease which is likely to show up between 18 and 25 years of age, makes patients spend most of their lives in its shadow.

Vilas Bhailume, medical superintendent at Yerawada Mental Hospital, says that more than 3,000 patients visit them every month, of which around 90 per cent are schizophrenics. However, half of the families refuse to take these patients home. Emotional neglect and lack of precautions of medication from the family result in a renewed schizophrenic attack. “About 40 per cent of our patients come back within a month of their discharge,” says Bhaimule.

Swapnil Deshmukh, psychiatrist at Joshi Hospital says, “Families are unaware of how to handle patients in case of a schizophrenic attack. They are afraid of taking him home after treatment in the hospital.” However, contrary to the beliefs, schizophrenics can easily become a part of the mainstream society. They are perfectly capable of handling their day-to-day responsibilities, provided that people around them show confidence in them.
Dr Vidyadhar Watwe, a city-based psychiatrist says, “Schizophrenia occurs due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. The patients need to be assisted in their daily activities. Under some supervision, they can lead absolutely normal lives. Continued medication can help treat schizophrenia and stabilise the patient.”

According to Amrit Bakhshy, president of Schizophrenia Awareness Association, the patients need to live with their families and in the society for complete rehabilitation. “Social ostracism or segregation increases the stigma attached with schizophrenia. The chances of the patient recovering in a hospital a far less than if he is living with his family,” he adds.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia:

• Bouts of anger
• Anxiety
• Disinterest in relationships and socializing
• Increase in emotional instability
• Inability to differentiate between reality and imagination
• Hallucination
• Hearing voices in the head

Stats from Regional mental hospital, Yerawada OPD (On an average)

• 3000 mentally ill patients monthly
• 2700 of them are schizophrenics (existing patients or new)
• 2000 of them stabilize with medication
• 1200 of the families refuse to take patients home

http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report-stigma-still-persists-around-mental-illness-1990913