India in all its diversity and social complexity also remains a closed Pandora ‘s Box in regards to subjects and issues that its largely conventional society deems taboo. One such issue is mental health and more specifically — suicide.
Surprisingly in India the suicides highlighted by media were those of farmers struggling with financial setbacks and institutional apathy — but what came as a shocker to everybody later was that the biggest segment of suicides in India are its housewives.
They, it seemed, were marginalized within homes that had no access to any of the major suicide prevention interventions, namely:
- Programs of awareness
- Proper psychological screening
- Gatekeeper training
- Restriction to harmful means like poisons
- Follow-up care in previous cases of self-harm
- An official universal helpline
- Supportive media strategies
- Pharma-therapeutic and psycho-therapeutic support
Statistics also indicated that a large number of those who died in both men and women were “married,” implying weren’t living alone and were part of a family where they had everyday interactions that could have reflected #suicidalideation, but were never identified or if identified, ignored. In India, rates of suicide among young woman in the age-group of 15 to 29 years are quite high.
#JamesDonaldsononMentalHealth –
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Related:? 18 Things to Put in Your Suicide Prevention Kit
Community-based suicide prevention strategies like “Gatekeeper” — a program that trains people to know the signs of suicide — are not developed or prevalent. It basically trains common people to identify warning signs of suicide and also response and referral techniques. The entire training can be completed in a few hours and be imparted online too. Healthcare workers, doctors, police, educators and human resource personnel also lack proper sensitization regarding cases of mental health crisis.
Most importantly, the de-stigmatization of any experience of mental stress, emotional challenges and common mental health hurdles like #anxiety and #depression is missing. People glorify “being strong” and suicide is often referred to as “lack of bravery” or “cowardice.”
Repeated insensitive coverage of such cases in media without any kind of sensitivity displayed in
the choice of words, describing details and choosing images sometimes leads to copycat suicidal behavior too. Especially if the person mentioned in such a story is a celebrity, it might trigger young people, people facing a #mentalillness or people with a history of #suicidalbehavior.
Related:? I Could Understand Losing My Fingers, but Not My Mental Health
A World Suicide Prevention Day 2018 report on the National Health Oortal of India mentions that:
“World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed every year on 10th September, which is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The aim of this day is to create awareness among people about the fact that suicide can be prevented.”
According to the World Health Organization, there is one death every 40 seconds due to suicide. In spite effective collaborations with several global suicide prevention programs, the economic and political unrest in India is also causing a lot of people visible emotional distress stemming from obvious reasons like rising unemployment.
The challenges presented by suicidal behavior are plenty in India, but I believe the #stigma, taboo and the cultural barriers that prevent people here form speaking about #mentalhealth are the first major hurdles.
There is an increasing and long-pending demand by all mental health activists for a universal helpline for suicide prevention to be put in place by the Government of #India.
Related:? What My Friend’s Death Made Me Realize About Suicide Contagion
Let’s hope both the Indian society and the institutions join hands to remove the associated cycle of silence about #suicide and #suicideprevention gains strength in #India soon.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
[email protected]
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
