Around 80 per cent of people committing suicide send out tell-tale warning signs before doing the unthinkable, but prompt action can prevent such deaths, an eminent psychiatrist said here on Saturday.
“Most of the adolescents, before killing themselves, drop hints about their mental condition which are mostly ignored by family members, colleagues, teachers or friends,” Prof Surjeet Sahoo, Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital here, said while addressing a programme held here to mark the World Suicide Prevention Day.
Stating that these suicides were preventable, he said it is extremely important to identify the warning signs and take immediate steps to stop the person from taking the extreme step.
“When someone is dropping hints of not being around for long or visiting a friend to say goodbye or giving away belongings to friends and relatives, it should be viewed seriously and timely action taken to avoid the tragedy, Prof Sahoo said.
Thirty-five per cent of suicides, he said, are linked to family problems and disputes.
Describing suicide as a psychiatric and medical emergency, he said such tendencies arise from factors such as depression, suicidal thoughts, loss of support from family and friends, living alone, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and stress.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people in the age group of 15 to 24 years with two-thirds of such deaths among youths occurring in the 18 to 24 age group, he said.
Brahma Kumari Shivshakti said the path of spirituality is the way out of such situations. She urged the students to derive positive energy through meditation.