Visakhapatnam: High suicide rate in 14-30 age group

Visakhapatnam: Even as the World Suicide Prevention Day is being observed every year on September 10 to check suicides, the government and voluntary organisations have failed to take any significant steps and measures to prevent people from ending their life.

A random search on the Internet shows only a handful of suicide prevention helpline numbers operating in the state and nationwide.

Expressing concern over the magnitude of the suicides, Visakha Psychiatric Society president Dr Rekha Dutt Kancharla said a serious effort by clinicians, policy makers and volunteers was needed as the causes of suicide were multifarious.

“India has the highest number of suicides in the world. The suicide rate in India is 10.3 per 1 lakh population. In Andhra Pradesh, and the other southern states, the rate is more than 15 per 1 lakh population since the past 20 years. The reason for the variance between the north and south is not known. It calls for an urgent study of the various causes of suicide, specifically in AP," Dr Rekha said.

With 41 per cent of those committing suicide in the country were in the 14 to 30 age group in 2014 going by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), counselling and guidance to the students and youths is urgently required.

A college student on condition of anonymity said, “Youngsters prefer helpline numbers over counselling centres as there is no fear of identity being disclosed. However, there are a few helpline numbers which even sometimes don’t respond to calls.”

The UGC had asked the universities to create students counselling centre on their campus and the colleges affiliated to the respective university and ensure to that a trained psychologist is available at the centre. However, the safety guidelines have remained only on paper.

“Counsellors are not seen in the educational institutions. Some colleges appoint one of the regular te-achers as counsellor to gu-ide the students. The lecturers who are already as-signed with academic responsibilities are unable to find time to guide the students,” said Bala Vikas Fo-undation (BVF), an NGO working for the development of students, Secretary of Narava Prakasa Rao.   

The managements of various schools and colleges claimed that there is no need to appoint a counsellor as teachers are the best judges of students as they much interact with students and easily guide the students when the students were in depression.