World Mental Health Day: An opening to address suicidal issues

PC THOMAS

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10th October every year, with the key objective of raising awareness of mental health issues surrounding the people and organizing endeavors in support of mental health across world. In the light of multiple mental health issues, quite relevantly the number of people thinking about suicide or doing self-sacrifice has risen dramatically in the Indian context. It attributes reasons such as diseases, love affairs, divorce, marriage failures, extra-marital affairs or any other issues with the people, play a crucial role mainly in the suicide of people in India. Sexually abused suicide attempters have also risen dramatically in state to state level, partially in the lockdown period.

Mental issues in children are on the rise in recent time.  Every year after the Board examination we hear about students who are ending their lives because they feel they are unable to live up to the expectation of their families.  Lockdown triggered emotional strain among children as they are not getting to close together with their peers at school which remain closed in the wake of the pandemic.

On the arrival of Covid-19, the mental and substance use disorders have increased by over 50% in the past 25 years. Suicides are rampant everywhere because anxiety levels are very high in most cases. However, all these incidents help us understand that every suicide is tragic and is recognized as a mental health, public or social issues in almost every country and it needs to be addressed.

Also Read: searching-suicidal-behavior-in-children

While searching common causes of suicide, a few things are definitely clear and need minimum explanation. All suicides are based on mental imbalance or a weep for help. All suicides are mostly planned and well-contemplated as well as connected to a reason that remains unexplained in most cases. There can’t be a fixed reason rather there are a number of factors that contribute to the fatal act.

The question of debate arises in the midst of suicide cases is that how we would deal with the situation?  Why is mental imbalance still a taboo in our society? Why depression, which could be indicative of suicidal behavior, is not taken seriously? And lastly, why caste, gender, social status or popularity are the criteria for labelling or judging someone’s suicide?.

Also Read- keep-mental-health-while-social-distancing

This year’s World Mental Health Day comes at a time when our day by day lives have changed considerably because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are several challenges facing now as a large number of peoples are trapped in difficulties in different sectors with limited protection from COVID-19. For skilled laborers whose livelihoods are threatened. A good percentage of workforce in Indian companies suffer from some or the other form of stress.  Students, adjusting themselves with emotional well-being conditions, encounter much more social separation than before.  These are major factors that can affect mental issues. Therefore, taking care of mental health of people in this critical age is paramount and needs to be seriously addressed in the World Mental Health day.

 

 

 

Searching suicidal behavior in children and adolescents

PC THOMAS

 Covid-19 has triggered more suicides in India. As per recent media reports, 28 people including 15 men, 9 women, one male youth, and three girls have ended lives by suicide in Chandigarh since the imposition of the countrywide lockdown and its following unlocking. It was also reported that 66 teenagers under the age of 18 have committed suicide in Kerala during lockdown. Suicides are rampant everywhere, as anxiety levels are very high in most cases.

Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput life ended in suicide which rocked Indian film industry. In Delhi, TikTok influencer Siya Kakkar, who enjoyed celebrity status with over 1.1 million followers on TikTok died by suicide. Another TikTok teen star ended life by suicide due to depression. These incidents help us understand that every suicide is tragic and is recognized as a public health or social issue in almost every country and it needs to be addressed.

Psychological issues in children are also on the rise.  Every year after the Board exams, we hear about students who are ending their lives because they feel they are unable to live up to the expectation of their families.  Many parents believe, the marks scored determine admission in educational institutions and failure to secure high enough marks, adversely affects their children’s career prospects.

Lockdown triggered emotional strain among children as they are not getting to close together with their peers at school which remain closed in the wake of the pandemic. Besides, there may be declining interest in friends, activities, or hobbies previously enjoyed, domestic issues, lack of parental concern, poor communication between parents and child, parent’s improper way of dealing with the errors committed, that pave the way in spiking the number of suicides among children.  And for elders, reasons for ending their lives may be unemployment, life insecurity, failures, distress, extra marital affairs and so on.

Also Read- Keep mental health while social distancing

 However, while searching common causes of suicide, a few things are definitely clear and need minimum explanation. All suicides are a weep for help. It is when people are most vulnerable that they attempt an act which could be named as outrageously heroic. All suicides are mostly planned and well-contemplated as well as connected to a reason that remains unexplained in most cases. There can’t be a fixed reason rather there are a number of factors that contribute to the fatal act.

In each case of suicide, normally people accuse one person over somebody but do not find time to reflect back and address the problem in a more transparent manner. Why is mental imbalance still a taboo in our society? Why depression, which could be indicative of suicidal behavior, is not taken seriously? And lastly, why caste, gender, social status or popularity are the criteria for labelling or judging someone’s suicide?.

Also Read: Hoping for the best amid pandemic

What we are currently encountering with the Covid-19 pandemic is unusual in late memory. There is a major crisis everywhere, professionally and emotionally. People need a place of safety from their distress. Conveying compassion in the time of emotional crisis is essential. Negativity being spread through the sources of communication is a common cause of conflict between a parent and teenagers therefore parents or guardians should take care of their children. While for many of us the reasons of suicide might often seem meaningless or absurd, there is a small section of people who would defend to deal with it and have both fought it and yield to it. For everyone, it is time to realize that life is not about ending, it is about moving forward.

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Keep mental health while social distancing

PC THOMAS

The Covid-19 pandemic has radically changed our lives, including our relationships with other people in our communities, our homes and our workplaces. People are feeling depressed or bored.  Some people are challenging flexible management of works keeping social distancing regulations, some are working safely from home, some are in quarantine and some are distracted themselves for not meeting their loved ones. For romantic couples, the isolation  has an adverse impact on them who have been stuck inside together for months and may be getting bored with each other's company. However, social quarantine should not prevent you from keeping up solid, healthy connections or boosting your skill development and mental balance. 

In this Covidian social time, it is necessary for you to do each possible extent to keep up your physical fitness and emotional wellbeing.  This, in turn, will assist you with a positive mentality to keep your relations upbeat and solid. But how would we go about it? During social distancing, it is imperative to seek approaches to support your mental well-being. You can do this by keeping your mind involved and finding inventive approaches to keep up your social life.

Social distancing and seclusion can be hazardous unless people work to maintain their connections with others. Even if you are encircled by family members at home, tensions will come up and relationships can be strained. Therefore, it is necessary to nurture relationships outside the home, even if you cannot see them face-to-face.

Social distancing is changing the manner in which we live, yet it does not need to change our companionships, sentimental connections. Whatever be the case in your life, you have to understand that this is a temporary stage, and you will come out of it soon. Hence, rather than getting hindered with depressing thoughts, utilize this time to work on your healthy relationships and build beautiful memories.

During this isolation, anyone can maintain his skill development through reading books, brushing up vocabularies to improve his proficiency and share his knowledge and reflections with his friends which will enhance knowledge of people, society, history and culture. It will also expand your minds, and can also give you a sense of accomplishment during these depressing times.

If you want to experience mental and spiritual peace, put on some music and give meditation a try. Meditation and prayers will also help you reduce stress, boost energy, develop an immune system to combat the virus attack. Choosing any of these activities will give you peace of mind and enable you to do complete justice to your free time. You can also explore many other activities in line with your taste and aptitude.

An honest assessment of these areas in your life needs consideration for your mental health. A helpful spot to assess yourself is to consider the areas of your life where you are feeling depleted. At the point when you begin assessing how you can honour your needs and start to take action in these areas, you begin to build trust with yourself and boost your self- compassion. This article published in Metro Vaartha on 31.7.20- Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas