Suicide common among adolescents: Dr Lenin
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 09 2024: Suicide cannot be treated by raising slogans as it is a societal behaviour interlinked with the society itself.

A society can be said to be healthy if the suicide rates comes down.

However, the suicide rate significantly common among adolescents and the youths due to varied factors, stated mental health expert/activist Dr RK Lenin.

In connection with World Suicide Prevention Day and the golden jubilee celebration of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU), AMWJU in association with Share and Care (SAC), Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal organised a media interaction programme on the topic, "Changing the narrative on suicide" at Manipur Press Club on here Monday.

Speaking as the resource person, Dr RK Lenin cautioned that suicide is more common among adolescents and women who marry early.

As such, preventing early marriage and effective implementation of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme, are important approaches which help in suicide prevention.

At the global level, suicide rates are also higher among poverty-stricken and low-income families, he said.

Mentioning that almost everyone has seen suicide cases happening in their circles, he said that in the past, the elders used to prohibit any discussion on suicide cases in their homes or prevent the children from taking a glimpse of the lifeless body of someone who committed suicide, fearing that the children may copy the behaviour.

Although this thinking has changed over the years, there are still people who continue to think so, which is wrong.

Instead, there is a need to discuss on why someone develops suicidal ideations or suicidal thoughts.

Dr Lenin continued that almost everyone is under immense pressure in this fast-paced world.

Some people are unable to bear the mental load and the stress from family, friends and society.

Instead of suppressing this, he urged for consulting with experts so as to prevent any impulse to commit suicide.

In addition, the family play an important role in observing and sharing any huge behavioural change in their loved one.

Suicide is preventable but often times, the mere mention of suicide is taboo in families.

As such, there is no neighbourhood which has not witnessed or experienced a suicide of someone they have known, the activist remarked.

The interaction programme was also attended by AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam as chairperson and All India Radio ex-programme head A Gitchandra as member on the dais.

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