Sinking emotional quotient: A suicide attempt every 4 minutes.. coverage in 10th October 2011 Deccan Chronicle..

Report says 15 suicides happens every hour in country, with one in three victims aged between 15 and 29 years.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2009 report leaves a chilling statistic of 15 suicides every hour in the country, with one in three victims aged between 15 and 29 years. The age group is resorting to suicides as the emotional quotient dips and impulsiveness rides high, say experts as October 10 is observed as World Mental Health Day.

• "If we take the population size between 15 and 29 years, we have four suicide attempts per minute in India. Everything has changed, from the lethality of methods used to the reasons, urban areas have terribly gone wrong in reading the young minds," Sunil Mittal, senior consultant, psychiatry and psychotherapy at the Delhi Psychiatry Centre, told the media.
• "There are aspirations and the inability to cope with shattered dreams. When you are young, you are short-tempered, judgmental, impulsive and tolerance is low," Mittal added.
• Problems ranging from a broken relationship to financial crunch are causing mental health disorders like depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. Gender, say experts, has a lot to do with the reasons over which a person goes for suicide.
• "Suicide comes later. Before that, there is a lot playing in the head of any person with suicidal tendencies. For women, emotional reasons count more, but for men it is the financial world and dependent family that could be the reason," Mittal explained.
• The NCRB report also pointed out that social and economic causes led most of the males to commit suicide, while emotional and personal causes drove women to end their lives. States such as Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa reported far fewer suicides that the metropolitan cities.
• "If you take into account the existent rural and urban divide, then this could be logical. But the reporting of suicide is not common in India because there is a stigma associated with it. When someone attempts suicide, the family prefers to bury the matter quickly without involving the police," said Rajesh Sagar, assistant professor at the psychiatry department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
• Farmer suicides had shot up by seven per cent between 2008 and 2009, with nearly 17,368 cases reported across the country.
• Experts blame the communication gap and individualistic lives that the youngsters are leading for suicides in a section of society."Upbringing these days is amidst verticals such as stiff competition and rush. When we see parents coming to us at the AIIMS, we notice the sense of reward is missing. Adolescents are diagnosed with high-risk behaviour that can later take the shape of suicide," Sagar told the media, adding that "supervision and the communication bridge between parents and children is nowhere to be seen".Sagar added: "This is just one aspect of it. At AIIMS, we try and tell families that give the person who has attempted suicide a chance. Suicide itself denotes that the person was desperate to find a way out and cried for help."
• Even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that depression, one of the causes of suicide, will be the second-most prevalent condition worldwide by 2020, experts say the thrust lies on decriminalsing suicide."It's high time we decriminalised suicide. The problem is cases of suicide or attempts at suicide are under-reported due to fear of medico-legal cases," Mittal said. "Even if they are reported, there might not be much persecution, but the person is stigmatised for the entire life."

For more details log on to:

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/lifestyle/health/sinking-emotional-quotient-suicide-attempt-every-4-minutes-721

Today 10th October 2011 is World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day (October 10), is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy.It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization. This day, each October thousands of supports come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to Mental Illness and its major effects on peoples' life worldwide.

Mental Health refers to a broad array of activities directly or indirectly related to the mental well-being component included in the WHO's definition of health: "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease". It is related to the promotion of well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, and the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by mental disorders.

The theme for Mental Health Day, 2011 is "The Great Push: Investing in mental health." This year, the day hopes to enhance discussions on mental disorders, and to encourage investments in prevention, treatment and promoting awareness of mental illnesses.

Issues of Mental Health Care

• Dispensing mental heakth  services at community centers and general hospitals and not merely at larger hospitals.
• Promote and safeguard mental health at the early stage—among children—to prevent mental diseases in adulthood and old age.
• Increase investment in mental health care and make it more effective across the globe.
• Creating awareness too requires funds and is hard to come by.
• People with mental disorders are mostly neglected and traumatized. In several places, mental diseases are not categorized as an illness.
• Even the treatment that patients receive is far from humane because they are considered to be weak or immoral and seemingly deserve nothing better. It is very common to see human rights being violated in homes, roads or at treatment centers all through the world, when dealing with mentally-ill  individuals

Need of the Hour

Mental Health is a priority for all people. Even though mental health services are increasingly being recognized as critical, they still get short shrift. They do not get the resources and support they deserve

Consistent action requiring involvement of multisectoral partnership including Govt, private sectors, NGOs and the government is the need of the hour and this will go a long way in ensuring a sound mind, in a sound body, to all.

Details of Events on Suicide Prevention Week 2011

Details of events.

Date	Time	Program	Speaker/Resource Person/Guest	Outcome
3/9/2011	2:00 pm	Online Signature Campaign p	MaFo –Chairman and Founder Member	Awareness about suicide prevention.
5/9/2011	10:00 pm -3:00 pm	Educational Seminar on Stress, Depression, and Suicide Prevention to Urdu Medium Institutions	Makro Foundation Confederation of Voluntary Association.	200 students
6/9/2011	11:00 am -12:00 pm	Stress Management program in Roda Mistry College of Social Work, Gachibowli.	Dr. Niranjan Reddy  Psychologist	100 students
7/9/2011	10:00 am -2:00 pm	Educational seminars on Depression, Suicide Prevention amongst Students of Telugu Medium Institutions.	Makro Foundation and Confederation of Voluntary Association.	200 Students
8/9/2011	6:30 pm-7:30 pm	Choose Life -Candle Light Rally.	Makro Employees and Volunteers.	100 people.
9/9/2011	11:00 am -1:00 pm	Seminar on Stress, Depression, Suicide Prevention - Hindi Medium Institutions.	Makro Foundation	200 students
10/9/2011	11:00 am-1:00 pm	Outreach in Public Place-Distribution of Flyers, Posters on Suicide Prevention	Makro Foundation Volunteers	4 Public Area Coverage. Secunderabad railway station and Nampally railway station.

Choose Life Campaign

Makro Foundation (MaFo) is promoting “CHOOSE LIFE Campaign –Suicide Prevention in Multicultural Societies” to mark the worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicide by organizing a weeklong awareness program  “5th September 2011- 10th September 2011” to mark the World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2011.

The objective is to raise Awareness in Multicultural Society and Encourage People to Adopt Help Seeking behavior and Prevent Death through Suicide.

World Suicide Prevention Day is marked globally on September 10 each year. The international theme for 2011 is "Suicide Prevention in Multi Cultural Societies”.  It is more than a day about suicide prevention. It is a day to celebrate life, to remind everyone why we should all value our lives as people, and “We need to encourage each other that anything is possible, that the darkest of times never last, and to remember that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

The day was first marked in 2003, when the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization designated September 10.It is important to shatter the stigma on mental illness and make sure everybody knows it’s OK to talk about it, to get help, and to embrace life.

Outcome: The series of events is organized is to raise awareness through Collaboration and partnerships between communities, practitioners, research and industry about suicide being a   major preventable cause of premature death. For further details please contact us at 040-4600 4600 or log on to http://www.suicidehelpdesk.org/mafo2011

Indians are a depressed lot, finds WHO-backed study 27/7/2011 TOI

Article in TOI dated 27/7/2011

Nearly 36% of Indians suffered from what is called major depressive episode, which is characterized by sadness, loss of interest, feelings of guilt or low self-worth.

WHO ranks depression as the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide and projects that by 2020, it will be the second leading cause

Indians are among the world's most depressed. According to a World Health Organization-sponsored study, while around 9% of people in India reported having an extended period of depression within their lifetime, nearly 36% suffered from what is called Major Depressive Episode (MDE).

MDE is characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration, besides feeling depressed.

Lowest prevalence of MDE was in China (12%). The average age of depression in India is 31.9 years compared to 18.8 years in China, and 22.7 years in the US.

The study, published in the BMC Medicine journal and based on interviews of more than 89,000 people in 18 different countries by 20 different researchers, says depression affects nearly 121 million people worldwide. It is the second contributor to shorter lifespan for individuals in the 15-44 age group.

Psychiatrist Dr Jitender Nagpal from VIMHANS said, "Depression can arise from day-to-day activities. However, MDE is much more serious. This is the feeling of tremendous helplessness, and worthlessness. Planned suicide is highest among those suffering from MDE. Those suffering from MDE don't have the strength to conduct day-to-day chores and become dysfunctional."

The percentage of respondents, who had lifetime MDE was higher in high-income (28.1%) than in low to middle-income (19.8%) countries. When it came to lifetime prevalence rates of depression, France (21%) and the US (19.2%) reported the highest rates of depression. Women are twice as likely to suffer depression as men and the loss of a partner, whether from death or divorce, was a main factor, the study reveals.
He added, "Increased stress, lonely lives and the falling apart of the social support systems like joint families is a major cause of growing depression among Indians." The study says, "The average lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates of MDE were 14.6% and 5.5% in the 10 high-income and 11.1% and 5.9% in the eight low to middle-income countries. The average age of onset ascertained retrospectively was 25.7 in the high-income and 24 in low to middle-income countries. The female: male ratio was about 2:1."

for further details log on to:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Treatment for Depression.

The good news is that Depression is treatable. One’s primary care physician can effectively treat Depression by Supportive counseling, prescribing an antidepressant medication and/or referring you to a mental health professional. Understanding the underlying cause of your depression may help you overcome the problem.

1. Seek help and Support:

If even the thought of tackling your depression seems overwhelming, don’t panic. Feeling helpless and hopeless is a symptom of depression—not the reality of your situation. It does not mean that you’re weak or you can’t change! The key to Depression recovery is to start small and ask for help. Having a strong support system in place will speed your recovery. Isolation fuels depression, so reach out to others, even when you feel like being alone.

2. Make healthy lifestyle changes:

Lifestyle changes are not always easy to make, but they can have a big impact on depression. Take a good look at your own lifestyle. What changes could you make to support depression recovery?  Self-help strategies that can be very effective include:

• Cultivating supportive relationships
• Getting regular exercise and sleep
• Eating a healthy, mood-boosting diet
• Managing stress
• Practicing relaxation techniques
• Challenging negative thought patterns

3. Seek Help from Mental Health professionals:

If positive lifestyle changes and support from family and friends aren’t enough, seek help from a mental health professional. There are many effective treatments for depression, including therapy, medication, and alternative treatments. Learning about your options will help you decide what measures are most likely to work best for your particular situation and needs. Effective treatment for depression often includes some form of therapy. Some types of therapy teach you practical techniques on how to reframe negative thinking and employ behavioral skills in combating depression. Therapy can also help you work through the root of your depression, helping you understand why you feel a certain way, what your triggers are for depression, and what you can do to stay healthy.

Talk with your Mental Health Care Professional/Psychologist/Counselor/Therapist/ Physician about how you are feeling. Ask questions and follow through with the treatment that both you and your primary care physician/mental health professional decide is best for you, keep appointments, be open and honest.

Faces of Depression

Depression often looks different in men and women, and in young people and older adults. An awareness of these differences helps ensure that the problem is recognized and treated.

Depression in Teens:

While some depressed teens appear sad, others do not. In fact, irritability—rather than depression—is frequently the predominant symptom in depressed adolescents and teens. A depressed teenager may be hostile, grumpy, or easily lose his or her temper. Unexplained aches and pains are also common symptoms of depression in young people. Caution: Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing—even irreversible tragedy such as homicidal violence or suicide. But with help, teenage depression is highly treatable.

Depression in Older Adults:

The difficult changes that many older adults face—such as bereavement, loss of independence, and health problems—can lead to depression, especially in those without a strong support system. However, depression is not a normal part of aging. Older adults tend to complain more about the physical rather than the emotional signs and symptoms of depression, and so the problem often goes unrecognized. Depression in older adults is associated with poor health, a high mortality rate, and an

increased risk of suicide, so diagnosis and treatment are extremely important.

Depression in Men:

Depression is a loaded word in our culture. Many associate it, however wrongly, with a sign of weakness and excessive emotion. This is especially true with men. Depressed men are less likely than women to acknowledge feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. Instead, they tend to complain about fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and loss of interest in work and hobbies. Other signs and symptoms of depression in men include anger, aggression, violence, reckless behavior, and substance abuse. Even though depression rates for women are twice as high as those in men, men are a higher suicide risk, especially older men.

Depression in Women

Rates of depression in women are twice as high as they are in men. This is due in part to hormonal factors, particularly when it comes to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and peri menopausal depression. As for signs and symptoms, women are more likely than men to experience pronounced feelings of guilt, sleep excessively, overeat, and gain weight. Women are also more likely to suffer from seasonal affective disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms. It’s important to remember that these symptoms can be part of life’s normal lows. But the more symptoms one has, the stronger they are, and the longer they’ve lasted—the more likely it is that one is dealing with depression. When these symptoms are overwhelming and disabling, that's when it's time to seek help. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable.
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

Causes of Depression

The Risk factors for depression are:

• Loneliness
• Lack of social support
• Recent stressful life experiences
• Family history of depression
• Marital or relationship problems
• Financial strain
• Early childhood trauma or abuse
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Unemployment or underemployment
• Health problems or chronic pain

What is Depression?

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings are usually fleeting and pass within a couple of days. When a person has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who experience it need treatment to get better.

Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the vast majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Intensive research into the illness has resulted in the development of medications, psychotherapies, and other methods to treat people with this disabling disorder.

This information is provided by the blog  for informational purposes only and is not intended to direct treatment decisions or offer medical advice. All patient care and related decisions are the sole responsibility of the treating provider.