Mental issues preventable if treated on time

CHENNAI: According to a WHO report, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among young adults worldwide. It is a serious public health problem; however, suicides are preventable with timely intervention, evidence explains.

An analysis of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data since 1995, shows that the country lost highest number of students to suicides since 2021, while nearly 2 lakh of them have died by suicide in the past 25 years. Also, there has been a considerable increase in the overall suicide percentage among student community from 5 per cent to 8 per cent in 2021.

Reasons for suicide can be multiple, ranging from mental illness to various social and familial causes. It is alarming to note the suicide rate amongst students, as it is preventable with timely intervention and guidance.

Suicidal thoughts take an emotional toll. One may be so consumed by the thought that they cannot function properly in their daily life. For the survivors of suicide, grief, anger, depression, pain and guilt are common to stay on for a long time.

It is important to mediate on various levels to prevent the suicide trend from occurring. Isolation, anxiety, feeling hopeless, giving away material belongings, increased mood swings, irritability and engaging in risk taking behaviour, unhappiness (most of time the cause in unknown) are all few signs that needs to be monitored by family, friends, peers, and teachers.