Helpline volunteers have voiced concerns over a growing number of young teens feeling suicidal as online temptations lure them into a world of anxiety.
Pravasi Guidance Forum (PGF) volunteer and trained counsellor Smitha Leo told the GDN that concerns were growing about children playing addictive computer games.
“Yes, suicide tendency has been on the rise – our counselling sessions reveal that – there is a serious concern among early teens, as they turn to addictive computer games. We have at least two cases in a week,” she said.
The 37-year-old Indian expatriate believes that these children feel lonely and appear to lack physical peer support. They often reveal a suicidal tendency as they open up during counselling sessions.
The importance of seeking assistance came to the fore last week following the tragic death of a 13-year-old Indian expatriate who plunged to her death from a high-rise balcony in Juffair.
The positive news is that many sufferers feel confident enough to engage in professional help. “Counselling is available on demand and people are aware that it helps which is a good sign,” added Ms Leo.
The PGF has one 24x7 hotline manned by trained counsellors from its pool of 30 volunteers, who also provide telephone-counselling too. Its dedicated 35680258 number received more than 350 distress calls from February last year until June as the pandemic caused massive upheaval and worries.
“Now we get only a few calls in a week – general pleas from distressed people seeking assistance,” explained Ms Leo.
“Earlier it used to be panic-stricken calls about the infection, job losses and poverty – one main concern we saw was depression from stress compounded with grief – people who lost their dear and ones in their home country but were unable to travel due to travel restrictions.”
The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) chairman Dr Babu Ramachandran heaved a sigh of relief that the worrying number of incidents of suicide had reduced in recent weeks, praising local ‘community support systems’ in place.
The prominent expat medic, however, who handles the ICRF distress hotline on 38415171 said that he was now receiving more calls highlighting concerns from parents about their youngsters. “The mental well-being of children still remains a concern,” he added
Psychologist and Psychotherapist Dr Shyam Kumar echoed similar views regarding the stress children were encountering but again believes the stigma of shame once attached to seeking counselling help was significantly reducing.
“In my interactions I have found children expressing their desire to end their lives mainly because they felt under pressure – parental, studies, concerns about the future, social distancing, and suppressing their emotions – all of these add to the stress levels leading them to think of suicide.
“There is much more awareness and social support and counselling is now acceptable, unlike in the past. This is helping in limiting the number of incidents.”
Child Foundation Centre Clinical Psychologist Dr Anisha Abraham also noted people reporting feelings of ‘helplessness and thoughts of death’ but an increasing number were seeking help.
“Many local organisations, healthcare professionals and volunteers have come together to increase awareness about mental health issues and address psychosocial needs,” she added. “These factors may have helped people seek help and cope with the psychological suffering they experienced.”
At least seven adult cases, six men and one woman, were confirmed as suicides reported this month, All were Indians. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness on this stigmatised, and often taboo, topic. In addition to shifting public perception, supporters use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by mental health issues.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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