A majority of the population in Delhi-NCR believes that suicide or self-harm is an impulsive act but only less than a handful recall someone who attempted or committed suicide. This has been revealed in a survey on attitude, significance and awareness of suicide among adults in Delhi-NCR.
For the survey, a sample of 3,000 adults was randomly selected and 22 questions were posed to each of them to gain an understanding of the variables associated with knowledge and awareness of suicide.
The survey conducted by Dr. Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences and National Mental Health Programme, Fortis Healthcare, found that people understood that suicide “is often a desperate attempt to break away from suffering that has become unbearable”.
The survey found that 91 per cent respondents consider suicide or self-harm as impulsive acts. Despite such a realisation, only 14 per cent respondents were able to identify someone who had attempted/committed suicide around them.
“Such findings indicate the need to overcome the stigma associated with suicidal behaviour, thereby reiterating the importance of recognising suicide as a national public health concern,” added Dr. Parikh.
The survey also found that there was increasing evidence that suggested that those who attempt/contemplate suicide may have an imbalance in their brain chemicals that is said to be associated with mental illness.
Fifty eight per cent respondents did not consider suicide attempts or thoughts as a sign of any illness. On the contrary, 86 per cent believed that attempting suicide is an act of weakness, and 85 per cent respondents felt that self-harm or suicide attempts are acts of attention seeking behaviour.
“This indicates the attitude of a majority of people towards suicide, such issues being shrouded in misconception, and the lack of awareness about such behaviour. There is a strong need to educate people about the nature of suicidal behaviour, to enable a better understanding and thereby ensure a more empathetic and supportive attitude towards people with suicidal behaviour,” concluded the survey.
