‘Need to develop integrated mental health and social care services’

The unfortunate demise of a young IPS officer who consumed poison a few days ago at Kanpur and several other such cases are a chilling indicator of the fact that the social system is becoming increasingly fragile in the face of several kinds of stress in life. Not only major but everyday issues may also lead to suicide these days.

Suicide is a global phenomenon. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 800, 000 people commit suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Many more attempt suicide or have suicidal tendencies Suicide is one of the leading cause of death among 12-65 years olds globally. According to NIMHANS, the suicidal incidence rate for those between 14-17 years is 9.52% . Suicide is basically an attempt of blocking unbearable psychological and emotional pain. It is attempted and committed when the distressed person has created impregnable walls around himself /herself and is not able to see the other available options of survival. Attempts at suicide and suicidal thoughts or feelings are usually a symptom indicating the failure of an individual’s coping mechanisms.

Psychological states like hopelessness, anxiety, poor ability to solve problems, loss of abilities one used to have, poor impulse control, aggression, hyper sensitivity, lack of tolerance and vulnerabilities of several kinds which engulf an individual in everyday life when left unattended and pile up, may play a very important role and can become a cause of suicide . Mental illness and psychological disorders are also a major cause of such happenings.

More important than understanding the causes is the recognition of symptoms of people having suicidal tendencies, in order to prevent suicide .Usually such individuals become withdrawn, show despair, mood swings, disturbed sleep patterns, act recklessly, are intolerant and aggressive or may become suddenly calm. Identification of such symptoms, timely intervention and development of strong family support systems as well as support systems at professional levels to deal with stress are required . Comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and social care services in community-based settings need to be developed. Collaboration and coordination at all levels: individual, family and society are necessary to grapple with this problem .

(The writer is assistant professor, psychology department, Lucknow university)