Connect person to life withtimely prevention: Experts

Suicide never happens suddenly. A person shows many signs before he/she actually reaches to that stage. So in such cases, if noticed on time, options of prevention are always available, say experts.

World Health Organisation (WHO) that observes September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day has this year chosen "One World Connected"as the theme of the day. The theme reflects that human interaction or connections are important at several levels of life so as to combat suicides. In Ludhiana, the city with population of over 40 lakh people, suicides are a routine matter.

As per the recent report of National Crime Records Bureau, people, especially aged between 15-29 and 30-44 years, are the most vulnerable to suicidal tendencies.

A total of 54 suicides were reported in 2013 in city, of which, 29 belonged to the said age group, including 15 women. Dr Rajeev Gupta, psychiatrist, Manas Ludhiana, said, "Suicide is like a road accident. If we take the right road; follow rules; take preventive measures; and remain alert, chances to avoid it remain alive."

"It all happens due to psycho-social issues. A person who commits suicide, talks about suicidal thoughts, shows depression, remains aloof, and many more things. So if someone talks about committing suicide, it should not be taken casually at all,"said Dr Gupta."Such people need more human interactions or connectivity. People who take such extreme steps try to remain aloof,"suggested Dr Gupta.

Dr BP Mishra, psychiatrist, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), said, "Parents, friends and relatives can play a major role in stopping a person from doing suicide. If such symptoms are found in any person, he/she should be treated immediately."

Experts opine that we can prevent suicides from happening if the "crime"tag is removed from them. Though Medical Health Care Bill, 2013, had proposed to remove this tag and treat it as a mental health problem, it has not been adopted in the country till now.

Dr Rajeev Gupta said, "Generally, family members don't talk about suicides or such thoughts in a family member because of the fear of legal action. This worsens the case." "In many countries, suicides are treated as mental health problems not crime. If in future, our country also adopts it, we would see a huge decline in number of suicides,"he added.

Reasons for suicides (As per Crime Bureau Report)
In Punjab, illness remained a major cause of suicides as 35.8% of total suicides in state were because of illness more than the national share of 19.6%.
24% from family problems
3.3% because of love affairs
3.4% drug abuse
1.4% poverty
1.7% dowry dispute
Competition, intolerance, social restlessness, unemployment, insecurity, stress/depression are also main reason for the suicide

Symptoms
Person will talk about suicide
He/she will sight reasons for idea of suicide
Insomnia
Loose of interest in society, friends, family, work
Anxiety
Aloofness and irritability
Preventive measures
Don't ignore the talks of suicidal thoughts and counsel specialist
Let the person talk about his/her problem
Make one believe that there is always a solution to problem
Provide constant supervision, don't leave the person alone.
Get help from the expert, don't keep it secret.

Facts
Suicide by hanging remained the main mode of suicide in 2013 as it claimed 39.8% of total suicides and poisoning comes second with 27.9%.
On educational level, more suicides were committed by illiterate than of literate.
Self-employed were the main victims of suicide with 38 % and unemployed with 7.2%.More number of men commits suicide than women, nationally.