Society needs to treat people with mental health issues with compassion and hold them close, to save their lives and prevent suicide attempts, Dr. Shahir Shah, Superintendent of General Hospital, Ernakulam, has said.
He was speaking at a meeting organised by the District Mental Health Programme, General Hospital, Ernakulam, on Monday as part of World Suicide Prevention Day.
“Behind every suicide, there are at least 20 suicide attempts. But we never notice this. If help is extended, this can be prevented. The social stigma surrounding mental health issues continues in society. People are reluctant to admit that they are struggling with their mental health. If society accepts those struggling with mental health without any judgements, suicides can be avoided,” said Dr. Sha.
City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya inaugurated the event at the General Hospital. A series of events such as a skit, flash mob, signature campaign and live painting were held as part of the awareness campaign.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 7,20,000 people die due to suicide every year. According to the report released by the National Crime Records Bureau for the year 2022, Kerala has a suicide rate of around 28.5 suicides per 1,00,000 population.
This is above the national average of 11.3 suicides per 1,00,000 population. Young adults aged between 18 and 30 years accounted for 35 per cent of all suicides in 2022, while those aged between 30 and 45 years accounted for 32 per cent of all suicides, pointed out mental health experts at the meeting.
Dr. Daya Pascal, consultant psychiatrist and Nodal Officer, District Mental Health Programme, Ernakulam, said that suicide is 100% preventable. “We do not address suicide as a mental health issue. We need to change the narrative on suicides. Suicide is also not a personal tragedy. We do not talk about the impact it leaves on the family of a person who has died by suicide. There is a lot of stigma surrounding suicide. Talking about it does not increase the risk of a person doing it,” said Dr. Daya.
Published – September 10, 2025 10:12 pm IST
