Suicides register rise in Prayagraj
PRAYAGRAJ: Loneliness, depression and overuse of social media have led to spurt in the cases of suicides in Prayagraj. Those taking the extreme step due to any of these reasons can be saved by proper counselling and alertness of their family and friends, say psychologists and psychiatrists.
Over two dozen people, including students, professionals, businessmen and elders, have allegedly committed suicide in the district in the last one month. Many others who made a suicide bid by jumping from New Yamuna Bridge were rescued by alert boatmen. Senior psychiatrists at Colvin Hospital Dr Rakesh Paswan lists several reasons which may force a person towards the extreme step.
“Among the youngsters, anxiety due to study and exam pressure is a major factor while failed lover affairs have also led them to suicide. Among adults, mental pressure due to financial crisis plays an important role in their taking the extreme step.
People who have suffered losses during lockdown or are facing unemployment are vulnerable to negative thoughts. Moreover, regular family scuffles have also been found to be a strong reason for increase in number of suicides among people with financial stability,” Dr Paswan said.
He further said excessive use of social media and internet has distanced people from their family and friends. People are spending more time on social media where they are encountering all sorts of negative emotions and information. “However, social media also plays positive role in people’s lives and there are instances where people have received support from other internet users in overcoming their difficulties,” he added.
“Mental harassment of people may also encourage them to extreme steps. Police should take immediate action if they receive any complaint of harassment. Moreover, police should also take strict action if a person has committed suicide and has made allegations of harassment against someone” Dr Paswan urged.
He said mass awareness campaign was the need of the hour to prevent incident of suicides. “Moreover, leaders can also play a crucial role in preventing suicides by encouraging people to visit counselling centres and sharing their problems,” he added.
Clinical psychologists Dr Ishanya Raj said there is no fixed or general pattern of suicides and it can be observed through unusual behaviour and conversation of a person.
People may develop negative thoughts due to various reasons. People having such thoughts often share depressing status on social media platforms.
“They behave in an unusual way and often speak negative things. Use of sedatives and excess addiction to alcohol, seeking ways to commit suicides, social boycott and distance from friends and family, too much or too less sleep, saying goodby and farewell for no proper reason to friends and offering personal belongings to others are other indications of depression and negative state of mind,” Dr Ishanya said.
“Family members and friends should observe their state of mind and try to counsel them. Advice of psychiatrists should immediately be sought in such conditions,” Dr Ishanya added.
OVERUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, LONELINESS REASONS FOR EXTREME STEPS, SAY PSYCHIATRISTS AND ADVICE SUCH INCIDENTS CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH PROPER COUNSELLING OF THOSE IN DISTRESS