India's tech hub Bangalore is country's suicide capital

Bangalore, Sept 8: High suicide rate are baffling. India's technology hub is a stressed out city. With around 9.4% of total suicide in the country being accounted to Karnataka and most of which occurs in Bangalore, India's IT hub-Bangalore has once again gained the dubious distinction of being the suicide capital of India.

As we are all set to observe World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept 10, the issue of increasing suicide rate in Bangalore has become a talking point.

As par the figures of National Crime Bureau of Investigation, the number of suicides in India has increased by 23% in last one decade. India recorded around 108,593 suicides in 2001. Whereas the figure stands at 134,599 in 2010.

States like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka account for 57.2% of the total suicides in the country.

A study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans), Bangalore, says 10 per cent of suicides in Bangalore is by youngsters between 10 and 14 years.

A recent Nimhans study on reasons for the increasing number of suicides in the city showed that severe stress, competition at the workplace and lack of economic security were among the causes of most suicides.

According to Nimhans, 57 per cent of suicides are sudden acts of frustration and thus most of the families are hardly aware that a member of their family is contemplating suicide.

Suicide deaths in the city have increased astronomically after the IT boom in Bangalore, say experts.

"Stress level in Bangalore is quite high. Right from a child to an IT professional, city has failed to provide social and mental security to its wide range of population. It is due to high level of stress and depression, a large section of people are committing suicide," said Manjula Raman, a city-based counsellor.

SAHAI Helpline for Suicide Prevention and Emotional Distress, a Bangalore-based helpline service, was started in 2002. It is an initiative of Nimhans, Rotary Bangalore East, and Medico Pastoral Association, Bangalore. Those who want to get help from counsellors of SAHAI, they can dial 080 - 25497777.

According to the helpline service, most of the callers suffer from stress and a sense of loneliness and deprivation. Generally, the helpline service counsel people over the phone. However, if a person is willing to visit the office of SAHAI, they are most welcome.

OneIndia News