Lend a helping hand:

Prevent loss of life

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Lack of emotional attachment among people in society or in a family has created a vacuum for the much- needed space of a vulnerable person, according to Dr. Indika Mudalige, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Balapitiya General Hospital and a key organiser of the countrywide program on suicide prevention

Do all these people who attempt to commit suicide lack emotional attachment with other people, especially youth who are independent and earning? Answering this question Dr Mudalige said, "There is a significant number. When present society is compared with that of our elders, it is quite clear that they are not connected. There was connectivity among people in earlier societies - among family, friends and community. It is far less now," Dr. Mudalige said.

Social media

In such a scenario, social media has crept in and is playing a 'big game', where young people end up in unfortunate situations. "There are people looking for relationships or emotional attachment through social media.

They want to ventilate themselves through this when family or teachers are not available to give them a hearing. They are trying to fill the gap. Unfortunately, they get into trouble ending up with married people and fake relationships," Dr. Mudalige said.

He also blamed the media for playing a role in this unfortunate situation by giving undue publicity to suicides.

Insensitive

Thus giving food for thought to young people who are in a vulnerable situation and contemplating suicide thus the report has a negative impact.

"Some writers are insensitive to reporting suicides and give details of the method by which a person has committed suicide.

This might be an avenue for vulnerable people to get an idea" Dr. Mudalige said.

Most people committing suicide do not suffer from mental disorder but have deviated from the normal situation.

Sometimes they cannot visualize problems clearly. It is 'tunnel vision' where the patient cannot see beyond the frame.

We see an acute stress problem as well in some patients," he said.

Dr. Mudalige said the basic responsibility of a psychiatrist, counsellor or the loved ones of the patient is to take him or her out of this frame - extend the helping hand to see a wider world.

"That person is not in a mental position to see this wider perspective on his own.

He or she is mentally deviated from the normal situation and desperately in need of help," he said.

If a person feels helpless, hopeless and worthless for a significant period, family, friends or any close person must take care of that person and get proper medical attention," Dr. Mudalige said.

'Be connected' is this year's theme. One world connected, simply underlines the importance of connectivity in reducing suicide rates in all countries. Considering the impact on our country, being connected in a meaningful manner cannot be ignored considering the magnitude of the problem of suicide in seemingly connected culture.

Psychiatrists

The connectivity which exists today in our culture may not be protective enough, given the nature of competition instilled in to mind for survival, psychiatrists warn. Perhaps we need to focus on a different modes of connectivity, which fosters permissiveness, tolerance and recognition of people with different abilities for what they are and who they are and most importantly being emotionally available at times of need.

Today in Sri Lanka an average of 11 people die per day due to suicide according to latest statistics. The WHO's first global report on suicide prevention, around one person dies due to suicide attempts every 40 seconds.

This was the main discussion on suicide prevention day this year, which is marked annually on September 10. It was held last week themed "Suicide Prevention: One World Connected."

Many of the panellists were of the view that the suicidal death rate reduced drastically since 1995 but Sri Lanka came in to the the top first numbers in the world suicide list. Suicide deaths of the North Central Province farmers had a significant impact.

Markets

With the alarming situation, the Government took decisions to upgrade medical facilities as well as to remove sources of poison from the immediate environment and from markets in the area.

One particular agrochemical and two plant varieties were removed as a matter of priority.

Although suicides rates have reduced in Sri Lanka over the years, new official data shows that Sri Lanka still has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, with almost 4,000 people killing themselves per year. The majority aged between 15-44.

An associated disturbing phenomenon is the significant increase in hospital admissions due to self poisoning especially with medicinal and biological substances which has more than doubled from 1995 to date, points out the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists.

"It had been around 48 patients per 100,000 in 1995 and by 2007 it rose to around 115 patients per 100,000. This shows that although the rate of suicides has fallen due to several reasons, the rate of people attempting suicide has exponentially increased," said Professor Samudra Katriarachchi, President of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists.

The estimated numbers of lives lost due to suicide in Sri Lanka surpasses that of casualties count during the country's war against terrorism. According to Prof. Katriarachchi the alarming situation is that majority of this group belongs to the younger generation.

Thus it is time to focus on suicide prevention as a person who survived the first attempt in suicide is more likely to kill him or herself within a year. It is similarly important to take effort to prevent the initial attempt.

Economic burden

"It is important because suicide is a major public health concern if the world and Sri Lanka in particular. Loss of lives, tragedy of loved ones left behind in anguish, tormented survivors and economic burden on the country and on health care costs are enormous at a time when the nation is recovering from devastating effects of war on terrorism," he said.

"Psychiatrists, psychologists, sociologists and economists would analyse this problem in different perspectives, however understanding of this complex phenomenon is important in combating the menace," Prof. Katriarachchi said.

"As a medical officer I have seen many young lives being lost due to ingestion of lethal pesticides and paracetamol overdose, used mainly by young adults, impulsively,.

They regret the act later but the result has a fatal outcome," said Prof. Katriarachchi explaining the agony of a suicidal attempt survivor.

Mental illness, in particular depressive disorder makes people vulnerable to suicide and can be easily treated if detected early.

The other mental disorders which are associated with increased vulnerability to suicide are substance use disorders, Schizophrenia and personality disorders. Detection is important in prevention of suicide and improving the quality of life.

Coping skills are an important aspect in suicide prevention as lack of problem solving ability seriously makes people vulnerable to maladaptive ways of coping leading to suicide.

In this respect, engagement in team activity and social activity from the early stages of life makes children stronger in handling stress.