Journey to tackle the menace of suicide, continues
INDIACSR News Network
JAMSHEDPUR: Department of Psychiatry, Tata Main Hospital (TMH) organized a seminar today (World Suicide prevention Day) at TMH auditorium. Mr. Sunil Bhaskaran, Dy. VP, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He applauded the efforts made by TMH and emphasized the need for organizing more of such programs to handle the problem of suicide. Dr. G. Ramdas, Chief, TMH proposed the welcome address and deliberated upon the reasons for the increased incidents of suicide, particularly in the younger age group.
TMH, as part of its initiative to spread awareness on the cause of suicide prevention, has earlier organized several programs including an inter-school debate on Sep 6, 2013 and a ‘walk for life’ march on Sep 8, 2013.
Dr. J Ram, (Consultant Psychiatrist, Apollo Hospital, Kolkata) the guest lecturer for the evening emphasized on how to identify depression in adolescents and how identifying the early signs and symptoms can help in suicide prevention.
Students of Loyola School presented a skit named ‘Heavenly Express’ to create awareness on suicide prevention. Results of the debate competition were also announced – 1st prize was clinched by Ms. Sweta from Chinmaya Vidyalaya, South Park while 2nd prize was won by Mr. Deep Banerjee from Moti Lal Nehru Public School and the 3rd Prize went to Ms. S. Gauthami from Kerala Public School, Burma mines. The programme ended with vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Manoj Sahoo.
Suicide ranks as the second common cause of death worldwide among 15-19 year olds, with at least one lakh adolescents committing by suicide every year. A detailed study of the adolescents’ mental health status would help us understand areas of conflict in their day to day life and also help devise means to prevent suicides.
In its endeavour to prevent suicide and create awareness, Department of Psychiatry, TMH comprising of Dr. Sanjay Agarwal, Dr. Manoj Sahoo and Ms. Harshita Biswas have conducted a survey on mental health status of school children. The findings of the survey were presented by Dr. Sanjay Agarwal, Head Department of Psychiatry. The highlights of the study are:
   Exam stress was found in 60% students and out of which 54% are male and 46% female.
   Parental pressure was found in 52% students, out of which 58% are male and 42% female.
   In context of relationship with parents, 42% students had difficulty, out of which 57% are male and 43% female.
   27% students experience peer pressure, 52% males and 48% females. 37% students also go through bullying, out of which 58% are males and 42% females.
   40% of the students experience anxiety especially social anxiety, out of which 56% are males and 44% females
   36% of student has conflicts with parents for excessively using social networking sites and cell phones.
   40% students have experience of taking substance (Drug/alcohol/smoking), 58% being male and 42% being female
   24% students have tried harming themselves and suicidal thoughts have occurred to them at the time of stress – 49% are male and 51% are females.
   22% students admitted having romantic relationships, out of which 53% are male and 47% female, which has led to conflict with parents or affected their studies.
Other important correlations which were found:
   Children having difficulty in sharing problems with parents, think more about the thought of running away from home ,taking substance as a way for coping or relief.
   Children who are not able to communicate and share their feelings with parents are the ones having more conflicts regarding usage of mobiles.
   Spending more time on social networking sites/mobile is associated with having romantic relations and having break-ups.
   Social anxious children tend to get addicted to substance (drugs/alcohol/cigarette).
   Children addicted to substance tend to have more self-harm behaviour and suicidal thoughts.
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Dr. T P Madhusudanan, GM, Medical Services, Tata Steel, Dr. G. Ramdas, Chief, TMH, Mrs. Jayshree Madhusudanan, Mrs Sujatha Ramdas, Dr Naresh Singhal, President of Rotary Club of Jamshedpur and Mr. Ronald D Costa from JEEVAN.
Students from various schools, members of Jeevan and Rotary Club Jamshedpur, various personnel from TMH as well as members of the medical fraternity attended the programme.
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