A survey on mental health has revealed that suicide rates in India have skyrocketed alarmingly in the last few years. Experts say that every act of killing self is closely connected with many social, cultural, familial and psychiatric factors. Depression, emotional trauma or problems with loved ones are often cited as the main reasons for people to decide to end their lives.
A report of the national mental health survey conducted in 2015 -16, by the National Institute of Mental Health, showed that 1% of the people included in the study fell under the category of ‘high risk of exhibiting suicidal tendencies’. Mental health experts said that the rate of suicides could be brought down if people showed a bit of care and caution.
Be it family members, friends or colleagues, it is easy to recognize the changes in their behavior and body language. Mental health first aid training would play a significant role in enabling people to recognize suicidal tendencies in fellow beings and effectively prevent them from taking their own lives.
Experts emphatically stated that one shouldn’t hesitate to talk or intervene if he/she recognizes suicidal tendencies in others. Opening up to a friend could be a great stress buster which, according to mental health professionals, would help bring down the rate of suicides in India.
An organization named the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), which operates in about 24 countries, aims to significantly reduce suicides among people. They also strive to make common people aware about the importance of mental health first aid training. The organization is conducting a seminar on September 21 in Chennai and the admission is free.
To know more about MHFA visit: www.mhfaindia.com
