• Suicides have serious impact on Public Health and affect mortality status.

• Stress is a combination of mental, physical and emotional responses

What creates stress?

Exam pressures, low self esteem, poor self image, academic failure, rejection by others and lack of emotional and social support.

• Over 16,000 students suicides in the last three years. (Acc. to Indian Health Ministry)• Out of every three cases of suicide reported every

15 minutes in India, one is committed by a youth in the age group of 15 to 29.

• Every 90 minutes a teenager tries to commit suicide in India. Many of these attempts are half-hearted cries for attention, help and love. But every six hours, one succeeds

• Girls may be more likely to make suicidal attempts, but boys are more likely to make a truly lethal suicide attempt.

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro SciencesChristian Medical College, Vellore All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.National Crime Records Bureau

43% examination fear 40% sibling rivalry 36% issues at school 33% warring parents 20% fear of punishment 17% death of a loved one 17% distressed parents

Source:

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, AIIMS

Faulty education system Pushy and unaware parents More expectations Childhood depression Inability to cope and mental weakness Biological changes Hormonal changes Copycat deaths

• Anger, depression and excessive worries • Reluctant to go to school• Mood swings• Anxiety and forgetfulness• Tiredness• Self hatred• Sadness and suicidal talk• Poor concentration• Profuse sweating• Lack of interest in studies despite efforts made• Changes in sleep or eating patterns

Drug or alcohol abuse Exposure to violence in the home or the social

environment Access to handguns, pesticides etc. at home Previous suicide attempts Close family member who has committed suicide Past psychiatric hospitalization Recent losses: death of a relative, a family divorce, or a breakup with a girlfriend. Social isolation

• Three steps parents can take -

1. Become informed (library, local support group, Internet)

2. Support your child (listen, avoid criticism, remain connected)

3. Get help (medical or mental health professional)

• Three steps teens can take - 

1. Take your friend’s actions seriously

2. Encourage your friend to seek professional help, accompany if necessary

3. Talk to an adult you trust. Don’t be alone in helping your friend.

• NIMHANS holds suicide prevention workshops• CMC, Vellore wants ban on the sale of lethal

pesticides• AIIMS is working on mental health in Delhi schools. • Dr Jitender Nagpal and Dr Geetanjali Kumar have

made a 40-minute short film (Smile Your Way Through Exams)

• CBSE runs a helpline (tele-counselling facility) and has modified exam system – GRADING

• The Hindustan Times, runs a series called “Cracking the Boards.”

• Television programmes have psychiatrists and psychologists take questions and calm fears.

• Radio stations broadcast messages urging students to remain calm.

• International Association For Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with WHO announced in 2003 and uses this day to call attention to suicide as a leading cause of premature and preventable death.

Legal Issues –• In India attempted suicide is a punishable offence.

Section 309 of Indian Penal Code states that whoever attempts commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such an offence shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with a fine or with both.

Education efforts to alert community Participation of Public Health experts along with

psychologist, psychiatrist, school counselor and social workers

Protecting and helping students in distress Awareness of suicidal behavior PTA meetings Peer counseling programmes Clear plans in place in advance

Media should avoid repeated or sensationalistic coverage.

Programmes and workshops for parenting The schools should have plans to deal with stress

among children National suicide intervention programme. Providing support to those bereaved by suicide and

decriminalizing attempted suicide. Complementary therapies to combat stress Chill-out zones in school to relax

Positive Attitude Rest & Recreation ( Sleep , Breaks, Exercise ,fresh air/sun) Good nutrition habits (Proper meals ,Less sugar/caffeine, 8 glasses of water daily , Fruits & vegetables) Autonomy & Space Support and guidance Affirmation & Praise Empathic Listener Unconditional love & regard

o Exams are important as their results influence future professional career. Every person has own optimal level of worry and anxiety, which helps him/ her to achieve the best results. We must learn how to control stress and extra anxiety for preparing for the test. If exams cause great worry, and there are some symptoms of exam stress (insomnia, rapid pulse, hands trembling and so on) we ought to do something about it. We must prepare students to handle stress in a better way.

REF.docx