In a shocking incident, a class five student ended her life by hanging herself on Wednesday in Mangaluru. The young victim was identified as Dhruvi, who was studying at a private school in Kinnigoli, a major commercial town in Mangalore taluk.
As per reports, her school was closed on Wednesday owing to a feast at the local church. Dhruvi had been watching television for some time, following which the power supply went off at her house. She was asked by her grandmother to study at that time. The class five student was reportedly last seen by her grandmother going into her room to study. However, when she did not step out for quite some time, her grandmother went inside to check and found Dhruvi hanging by the window. The victim had reportedly used her hair ribbon for hanging. The exact reason behind her death has not been found yet.
This year alone there has been over ten suicide cases in schools across the country. If we take college suicides into consideration, the number could be more shocking. In August this year, a 14-year-old girl committed suicide by jumping from the fifth floor of a school building in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra's Thane. In October, a class ten student in Kolkata died after jumping off the terrace of her apartment in Rajarhat. She was reportedly suffering from depression that prompted her to take the drastic step. In May this year, a 13-year-old girl in Vadodara ended her life as she did not get the marks she expected in her Class 12 examination. It is indeed scary to know that this is not all, the numbers keep increasing every year.
In Manguluru alone the number of people attempting or committing suicide has increased in recent years. A survey conducted by the Head of Department of Psychiatry, KSHEMA, Dr Satheesh Rao in Mangaluru this year revealed that five percent of students in the age group of 14 to 25 years have a history of suicide attempts. The survey meant to determine the mental health and well-being of students in the city revealed that a significant number — 6.79 per cent of the students had suicidal ideation. These alarming statistics on mental health of students and children are not just restricted to Manguluru but are also seen across the country.
According to a systematic review by The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) on suicides in India rural locations in the country report high suicide rates, from 82 to 95 per 100,000 population, which is up to eight-fold higher than the official national suicide rates. Suicide rates are highest in persons between 20 to 29 years of age, as per the study. It also states that suicide is an increasingly important public health issue: from 1990 to 2010 the number of global suicides increased by 32 percent and this is particularly seen among young adults who are between the age of 15 to 49 years.
If you are aware of anyone around you facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal or finding it difficult to talk to someone, you can reach out for help with the numbers below.
Karnataka:
Sahai : 24-hour helpline numbers: 080- 65000111, 080-65000222
Tamil Nadu:
State health department suicide helpline number - 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in TN)
Telangana:
Telangana government suicide prevention toll free no - 104
Roshni- 040-66202000, 66202001
SEVA- 09441778290, 040 - 27504682 (between 9 AM and 7 PM)
Kerala:
Maithri helpline - 0484-2540530
Chaithram helpline: 0484-2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Andhra Pradesh:
Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930-78930
Roshni
Helpline 1: 9166202000
Helpline 2: 9127848584
