Dimapur, Sep. 7: Nagaland is ranked the second least state of the country in the number of suicides committed with 21 cases (0.9%) in 2015 behind Bihar with 0.5%, according to a report published by National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). However, there was increased in the number to 61.5% compared to 2014, which recorded only 13 cases. In the Northeast states, NCRB recorded 12,801 (5%) cases from 2001 to 2012, which also pointed out that men showed more suicidal tendencies than women.
This was presented by assistant professor of Psychology and Counselling department, S. Joseph’s University, Dimapur, Ruovizokhonuo while addressing on ‘Suicide statistical data’ at the one-day seminar on ‘awareness about suicide and prevention’ commemorating the World Suicide Prevention Week on Sep. 7. The programme was organized by the department of Psychology and Counselling of St. Joseph’s University.
Referring to World Health Organisation (WHO) 2016 research, the asst. prof. said in India two of every three people are depressed adding in the female: male ratio, the male rate of suicide was higher. According to WHO, Maharashtra recorded the highest suicides cases with 16,307, followed by Tamil Nadu with 16,122, West Bengal with 14,310, Karnataka with 10,945, and Telengana with 9,623.
Also speaking on “signs and symptoms,” Asst. Prof. Vetalia said a suicidal person tends to behave as a giver, sorting affairs, talking negative, collecting materials, risky behaviour sign, isolation, self-harming, negative ideation, mood swings, feeling hopelessness, and self criticism. Even those who go through emotional pain and untreated mental disorders are at risk and those are the traits one need to observe in a person, she advised.
On the psychological factors, Asst. Prof. Beni Seb underlined that stressful life events which may be due to loss, abuse, and chronic physical illness drives a person to be suicidal. According to Lancet Psychiatry 2015 journal, unemployment accounted for 45,000 suicides in a year including workplace stress such as job strain and occupational uncertainty.
Inter-personal relationships that include family factors, romantic relationship, and conflict in romantic relationships contribute significantly towards suicidal behaviour as per Aspalan 2003 research.
The contributing factors among youth included peer abuse, low academic achievement which was significantly more likely to report suicidal ideation. The role of media such as social comparison, body image and blue whale challenge game recorded suicide cases among youth, said Seb.
The head of department, Dr. Watinaro Longkumer, in her presentation on “assessment and intervention,” said 7 out of 10 who have attempted suicide showed signs of suicide.
“But we wait until we see a sign and then act but most of the time we miss them.
“Because of taboo and stigma associated with suicide, the issue are denied, kept a secret and avoided. Anyone of us is at risk of suicide and it was high time we understand the signs and symptoms,” addressed Longkumer. She counselled that to avoid such event, a person dealing with a suicidal person should be non judgemental and empathic listener.
The university’s vice chancellor, Dr. D Gnanadurai pointed out that even though people are highly intelligent and qualified, the question of ‘how strong’ a person’s mind remains. He emphasised on emotional intelligence, which if not managed properly, a person’s live will be lost. Emotional intelligence was a drawback to human beings and this need to be managed well, emphasised the vice chancellor.
