Exploring root causes, impacts and strategies for prevention
Suicide is a major problem in the Indian context, becoming a severe mental health issue affecting the young population of the country. Many states in India record a suicide rate greater than 15%. An important demographic observation is that a majority of suicides in India are committed by individuals under thirty years old. Like the rest of India, Kashmir is also experiencing an alarming increase in suicide rates. Conflict and political disturbance play a major role in escalating suicidal tendencies. The immediate effect of these disturbances is depression, which in extreme cases leads individuals to attempt to end their lives. Therefore, there is a need to address this issue, create awareness among the masses, and counsel them about the consequences of suicide. Newspapers and other social media platforms can be significant contributors to spreading awareness among people. However, the current study analysis reveals that newspapers in Kashmir and coverage given by them to the issue of suicides through reports, editorials and opinions. The study reveals that newspapers in Kashmir have given more importance to other issues like politics, conflict etc. and ignored much important issue of suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among juveniles worldwide. It is not a sudden act but rather a continuum that begins with thoughts of ending one’s life (suicidal ideation).
The Kashmir valley is one of the most politically unstable regions globally. There is a constant tug-of-war between the Indian and Pakistani governments regarding the border issues in Kashmir, leading to a cycle of violence that creates mental disturbances among the population. The prolonged trauma faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in many individuals suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Studies show that significant portions of the Kashmiri population suffer from various mental illnesses, stress and psychological disorders, especially depression. These mental health disorders often contribute to increased suicide rates, particularly among the youth.
NCRB (2010) recorded 248 suicides in Jammu and Kashmir, while over 287 persons committed suicide in 2011 Clarify that NCRB refers to the National Crime Records Bureau. Suicide fatalities increased by 43.3% in J &K in 2012, when 417 people were reported to have ended their lives by committing suicide (NCRB, 2012). While the suicide rate in J & K is lower than the national average of 10.8 % per lakh people, it is a buzzing signal to reflect. A small number of people consider suicide as a spur of the moment, but for the majority, it is a deliberate act motivated by extended periods of despair or horrible circumstances.
In the entire State, at least one suicide is recorded every alternate day and there is hardly a hamlet or mohalla that was left untouched by more than one incident of suicide attempts. The Jhelum River, which flows through the Srinagar city and has seven bridges spanning it, has become a common site of suicides in Srinagar.
Face-to-face interaction with the mental health expert to know the various factors which lead to suicidal ideation among youngsters. According to the expert’s opinion, in Kashmir, there has been always unrest and that is why suicide was always there but the people were not vocal about it. She further disclosed that drug addiction still remains the leading factor and is a form of suicide. The patients in the rehab have had suicidal tendencies from the age of 10 years. The children according to the expert do not feel comfortable in sharing their feelings with their parents and usually do not want to talk about the real problems they go through.
Various reasons are creating an environment for suicides in Kashmir, and our faulty and defaulted socio-cultural background is causing these reasons. The one who commits suicide is actually registering his or her protest against this faulted system. It is a sort of reactionary action by the victims.
Taking the example of our children we mostly treat them with a conventional approach rather than with a scientific approach that is needed in this era. We don’t provide ample choices and the required atmosphere to our kids. As a result, many of our children feel stressed. During the past 10 years, we have seen some children below the age of 18 committing suicide. This indicates that something is terribly wrong with our society.
The problem lies in the very basic unit of our society —the family. For instance, we are letting our kids fall prey to technology and gadgets. They are consuming the internet like food. As a result, these kids, particularly adolescents, indulge in harmful activities in terms of using gadgets with internet connectivity. Our kids are becoming addicted to these gadgets with each passing day; they are not conscious enough to understand the adverse impact of technology on their physical and mental health. They are innocent beings and they are not mature enough or trained to deal with this technology.
It has also been observed that those grappling with emotional health issues are mostly introverts. They do not share their problems with others till their pain accumulates and then force them to take extreme steps like suicide. They consider suicide as a shortcut to get rid of their problems.
Another reason is Stress in the marital life of the parents affects the minds of the children which in turn leads to suicide. Parents have a responsibility to play their part in the development of the child and to resolve their disputes amicably.
PREVENTION
The after-effects of suicide can have a long-lasting impact on the parents, schools, institutions, peers and society. To curb this menace, warning signs should be taken seriously and should be paid heed to. The following steps should be followed to bring the numbers down-
• Suicide prevention clinics should be opened up to prevent attempts. Schools, colleges and organizations should also open their doors to the screening of such students and people.
• Teachers and staff should be trained to cope and deal with depressed students and anxieties.
• De-addiction and Marital Counselling Clinics must be welcomed to solve family and addiction issues.
• There should be a consistent effort to create equality across genders and bring awareness to stop bullying and discrimination.
• Educational programs should be conducted periodically to detect and manage depression and other psychiatric conditions
• The consulting psychiatric services should be promoted in all institutes
• Strict restrictions must be enforced on the access to means of suicide including measures for control of the availability of such tools and weapons
• Installation of barriers in high places and bridges is to be followed along with restricted access to weapons that could be a potential threat.
• Holistic development of the child to be promoted in schools and colleges.
• Restrictions on media should be strengthened concerning publicity on suicides and displays of information related to suicide which can have negative effects on society.
• The people with some mental health condition and at risk of suicide are to be accepted and treated with care, patience and love.
• Awareness about the suicide helpline numbers should be distributed to students in case of emergencies.
People need help, love, motivation and understanding. We together have the power to stop the menace and provide an environment where people vulnerable to suicide can talk openly, express their feelings and talk about their problems. At times they just need someone to tell them that everything is going to be okay. Just do your part, listen to people and help them overcome drastic steps like taking their life. Empathies and understanding that suicide is not the nature of a person but just a state of mind that can be dealt with positively. Just like any of us, they deserve to have a good life and that can be possible only when society comes together and joins hands to solve this problem. Life is a gift; we can use it to its fullest and help save the lives of the people who can have an equal opportunity to enjoy their gift. Problems are not the end, they can be sorted out and dealt with and ending your life is no solution to it. Throwing our book of life in the fire is no solution. We were not born to be quitters, ask for help and speak up about our problems. Live a life that would uplift you and you will look back one day, all proud of how far you have come.
Asif Ahmad Dar is an LLM Scholar at the University of Asia Pacific (Dhaka) and has done BA LLB from the School of Law, University of Kashmir. He can be reached at aa*******@***il.com