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Children need someone to talk to
While a number of suicide helplines are available in the state, the question arises as to how equipped the counsellors are, when it comes to dealing with children who undergo suicidal tendencies.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Stating that systems have been in place since 2005, Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, founder of the Suicide Prevention Centre, said, “The helpline number, 044 2464 0050, has been busy. We came across a number of cases of children committing suicide, after failing in their exams or not having scored the marks they were expected to. Having started off as a 14-hour helpline, we now run 24 hours,” she said.
Examining the background of the ideation, counsellors found that many took their lives during the results. “We opened for 24 hours during the results and made a series of recommendations to the government, following which, the Tamil Nadu government was the first in the country to pass a Government Order (GO) to allow a supplementary exam, whereby students were allowed to rewrite the exam,” added Dr Lakshmi.
In fact, counsellors at the helplines are trained in cognitive behaviour therapy to help them look into the thought process of students who are undergoing depression.
“Every counsellor at the helpline is trained to offer therapy. With around five counsellors, we have been able to help in bringing down the suicide burden. As part of our training, we have follow-up calls, which is something we believe in. It is important to do follow-up calls to ensure that the child is doing fine and has not reverted to his/her former thoughts. We have to know how to look into the severity of the depression, and the factors contributing towards suicide ideation,” said B Elayaraja, a counsellor from the 104 helpline.
While these helplines have been known to benefit a number of people, it is seen that shy adolescents are using other means of reaching out to the counsellors. “We have been receiving a number of mails from depressed children who prefer to unburden through email instead of over the phone,” added Dr Lakshmi.
Psychologists also urge schools to make counsellors available at all timrd. “Teachers prefer not to interfere in students’ issues anymore, to avoid any further trouble.
They merely come to class,mteach and leave. It is therefore important to ensure that the students have someone trained to be able to talk to them and help them through their stress,” said P Nilam, a counsellor.
Talk, do not shout at students: Experts
Psychologist Dr Mini Rao says, “First of all, there is no mental health awareness at the school level. Children are unable to express their feelings and do not know how to cope. They are afraid, shy, embarrassed to talk with their own parents and feel they may be ridiculed for the way they feel. The stigma on seeing a psychologist must change. The minute parents see symptoms of extreme mood changes, unexplained anger, lack of appetite, sleep disturbances, lack of attention, etc., they must take their child to a professional. Parents should encourage their children to express their feelings. This lack of awareness, and the stigma of mental awareness are the causes for the many suicides among children.” She adds, “The symptoms described above could last for about two weeks or more. Parents should not be afraid of society and the repercussions they will have to face if their child is taken to see a professional.
They should be supportive, caring, and empathetic—that will be very reassuring for the child to confide in them. Prevention is always better than cure, isn’t it?” Stating that media should be sensitive while covering such cases, Dr S Nambi, a leading psychiatrist, says, “Children are beginning to consider suicide as a way out of their stress.
While teachers tend to shout at the children for their good, it would be great if they consider talking to the child instead. It is right for them to inquire, but teachers today, have decided not to interfere as it could land them into trouble.” He further adds, “Earlier, if parents were busy with work, children would be taken care of by their grandparents, who would educate the children on basic things, including how to handle things at school. However, today, the children are left to the care of maids, nannies, causing them to depend on social media, and their peers for life skills.”
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