Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 19: It is disheartening to see young children committing suicide leaving their parents completely heartbroken. In the last few months, the rate of suicides among children is on the rise in the district.

Parents always dream big about their children and when a young child commits suicide or ends life in any other form it has a long-term effect on the lives of the parents.

There was a time when parents used to scold their children on matters of studies or any other when children used to listen and adjust. As years have passed by, things have completely changed where the young generation of today are less socialising with their family given that technology and social media has taken over much of their attention and their social life.

Renni D'Souza, Child Welfare Committee & Dr Rameela Shekhar, Mental Health Professional

The parents and teachers need to observe deeply on the behavioural changes when children are at home and school. They need to understand what the children are going through so that their problems can be addressed in the right time and thereby prevent young children from committing suicide.

Recently, two young children committed suicide in Kotimura and Surathkal in a span of two weeks. A class 9 student committed suicide after mother questioned about excessive use of mobile, while a 13-year-old committed suicide at Surathkal.

In 2022, Poorvraj ended his life after he was not allowed to call his mother on her birthday by the hostel warden.

On Sunday, February 19, 17-year-old girl killed herself at Kumpala by consuming poison after her parent questioned her for not being at home.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, president of Child Welfare Committee Renni D’Souza said, “After the pandemic we can see behavioural changes among the children and they have turned out to be adamant to listen to advice from their parents. Whenever parents raise their voice, children are unable to spare some time to understand the situation and they find it difficult to balance and so they end up taking the extreme step.

‘Whenever there is an opportunity, parents need to listen to their children’s problems without criminalising it and help them to come out of it. Society needs to ask questions on children committing suicide which will take a toll in the future. During casual family talks, we can hear children casually saying ‘I will die’ and this has to be taken seriously by parents and not neglect it,” said Renni D'Souza.

The teachers need to identify the children on their behavioural changes and address their problems. There is need for counsellors in every school and college. Teachers might not be experts in counseling. If they appoint a specialised counselor, children will be to speak freely with them, said Renni D Souza.

Mental health professional Dr Rameela Shekhar said, “There are different reasons for children to the take the extreme step of harming themselves and ending their lives. Some of them may be due to psychiatric illness. But many a times it may be due to sadness, anger, impulsivity and failure to tackle stress and also the thought that suicide is a solution to their problems. As compared to the earlier days the capacity of children to cope with the situation today is much lower and as parents often give them everything they want when they are denied some things such as a mobile or a holiday they are unable to take ‘no’ for an answer. It is more about making adjustments and they usually react with extreme emotions.

When asked of prevention strategies, Dr Rameela mentioned, “Parents should keep the objects that children may use to harm themselves away . At the same time parents should listen to what they are saying and also what they are not saying by observing and understanding their thoughts.”

She illustrated that now being the exam season,”I get children experiencing extreme tension in our clinic.”

She added that exams are not the cause for tension but it is that competitiveness that makes children stressed. Children parents want to score 99 and the children get through NEET or get the best CET score thus increasing the pressure. When children are under pressure, even a small comment from parents like “Why are you wasting your time?” can disturb them which will make them think that it’s the end of everything to decide to take the extreme step, said Dr Rameela Shekhar.

‘Whenever children speak about death take it seriously don't ignore saying it is an effect of media or serials. Seek help, consult mental health professionals or counsellors which will prevent children from harming themselves . At the same time, there is need to create awareness about making them understand what it means to cope with stress and handle pressure,” concluded Dr Rameela Shekhar. 

Suicide warning signs

• Feeling hopeless, worthless or helpless
• Having unbearable pain – physical or emotional
• Talking about death life after
• Fixation on death themes, poems, drawings music, paintings etc
• Increased use of alcohol and drugs
• Isolating from family and friends – preferring to be alone
• Giving away prized possessions
• Looking for ways to end their lives – searching online for methods, secretive behaviors
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Visiting family, friends to say goodbye, writing notes
• Having low energy, feeling tired
• Experiencing sadness, irritability anger
• Losing interest in daily routine, grooming hygiene

Call suicide lifeline on 0824-2983444

Email: susheglifeline@gmail.com