Suicide -- A pointer to the rot within

Aparna Chaudhari

Suicide is both a measure of personal distress and a social indicator of a population's mental health. It is determined by a complex mix of intolerable burden, unsatisfactory means for coping and the influence of troubled society. Historical aspects and recent studies in suicide all over the world have clearly proved that suicide is a universal phenomenon. The complexity and paradox associated with suicide in different societies remain a challenge even today in spite of recent advances in psychiatry, psychology, sociology and anthropology. In contrast to Western society, where suicide as a clinical phenomenon is well acknowledged, Asian and other developing countries identify suicide more in terms of a psychosocial context.An increased suicide rate is being seen all over the globe. It is no more a problem restricted to industrialised developed countries, but is also predominant in developing countries. Reported rates throughout the world are consistently higher among men than women, regardless of age groupbetween women suicides seem to be more in Asian countries.Clinical research findings in the West suggest that of 90 per cent or more of those who successfully kill themselves had, in retrospect, mental health problems like depression, psychosis or addiction.

However, in non-western societies like India, social stressors seems to be the predominant factor driving people to kill themselves.Adolescents are the most vulnerable group for suicide the world over. As urbanisation catches up dynamically in education, there is a disproportionate population of youth who can avail of job opportunities and higher educational opportunities. The result: an outburst of anger, frustration, shame, guilt, pessimism, all of which breeds suicide. Besides `blocked opportunities' and the shattering of personal dreams, parental conflict is the other area of stress which may lead to suicide. Suicide becomes a way of expressing anger and other hostile emotions towards elders, and authoritarian figures. Here, it's important to notethat the current educational system, with all its demands, is more stressful than helpful to the young.Another emerging vulnerable population in developing countries are women. The stress could be perceived more by women in traditional societies like India because of conflict over roles.

The influence of modernisation along with increasing career aspirations and sociocultural pressure of traditional society on women could be cause of this conflict. The motivational factor of suicide in women are in terms of expressing a punitive intent towards torturing society or an expression of hopelessness and helplessness in an insecure atmosphere. Women who are getting into newer modern roles have multiple responsibilities of career, home and children, impairing their coping mechanisms.Countries like India are confronted with some very common problems like poverty and unemployment, which have a direct and indirect impact on the social and mental wellbeing of the population. Urban crowding and poor working conditionscan lead to anxiety, depression or chronic stress related mental health problems. Increased suicide rates suggest deterioration in the quality of life of population and increase mental health problems.

Dr Patkar is a psychiatrist and the Head of Department of Psychiatry at the Seth G S Medical College and KEM Hospital.

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