22 suicides reported in 4 months in Gurgaon(Aasra in TOI ,delhi)

Times of India Gurgaon
22 suicides reported in 4 months in Gurgaon Vineet Gill, TNN Apr 27, 2012, 03.02AM IST

GURGAON: On an average, at least one suicide takes place every week in Gurgaon. In the past four months, 22 suicide deaths were reported from the city. While this data is alarming enough, police records don't even account for the large and rising number of attempted suicides. Is this inevitable in stressful urban life, or does it show how little we care for mental health? According to experts in clinical psychology, both these points need emphasis if we are to understand suicide and help prevent it.
Dr Roma Kumar, senior consultant clinical psychologist at the Max Hospital, gets around 12-14 depression- and other stress-related cases every month. "Suicide is the thirrd leading cause of death among adolescents of 15-24 years of age. And the sixth leading cause among children of 5-14 years of age." Most of the cases reported from Gurgaon have indeed involved young post-adolescents. "Suicidal people tend to be severely depressed. At the same time unable to recognize their symptoms. More importantly, people around them are unable to recognize their symptoms, too," said Kumar. Stress and depression are common, but some have lower threshold levels and are driven to extremes by their despair. Kumar prescribes 24/7 suicide helpline and counseling centres for those in need.
Gurgaon, despite the soaring suicide rate, doesn't have a single helpline for depressives and others showing suicidal tendencies - a lack, which, according to suicide prevention activists, is contributing to the problem. "Counselling can help a lot. Simply talking can help a lot," said Honey Chandaani, a psychiatric counsellor based in New Delhi, who deals with suicidal patients. "Suicide is the culmination of unbearable stress, shame and guilt. And before a case goes out of hand, counselling can work wonders," he said. Chandaani says that offices, schools and colleges should set up workshops and special sessions for those seeking psychiatric help. As does Johnson Thomas, a suicide prevention activist, who runs round-the-clock suicide helplines across the country, Aasra. "We get about 30 calls a day from all over the country," he said. Thomas believes that in cities like Gurgaon, lifestyle changes and high-speed-living are 'making a psychological dent.' "There are a lot of people who have been suddenly thrust into jobs, which give a lot, in terms of money, and take a lot, in terms of peace of mind and stability."

beat back year-eve blues, Times of India, (AASRA has been mentioned)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Beat-back-the-New-Year-eve-blues/articleshow/11309935.cms Beat back the New Year-eve blues Pratibha Masand, TNN | Dec 31, 2011, 01.55AM IST MUMBAI: Nitika Makhija, in her early 20s, has been restless every evening over the last few days. The strange feeling in the pit of her stomach makes her feel as if something will go wrong. When this spell comes, nothing-not even reading a book or watching television helps. "I just have to wait for this feeling to pass. Generally, it lasts between an hour and three. Not only does it cause a sickening feeling, sometimes it leaves me feverish, it also drains me. I don't feel like doing anything or going anywhere," says Nitika, who works for a media firm. Some like Sheldon Pareira, 28, feel the urge to go out drinking every evening. "I am only a social drinker. But in the last three weeks, I've been feeling like going out for a drink, even if there's no party to attend," says Sheldon, who works in an IT firm. Nitika and Sheldon are suffering from "Year-end Blues". Many in the city have been feeling low or depressed, restless and lonely, have been feeling either a great urge to drink every day, or do not feel like eating at all. Most of these feelings are unexplained and go just as abruptly as they come. Doctors say that the party season, change in weather or fear of the upcoming year might be among reasons behind these blues. "The blues are more common among the single or those who do not have plans for the New Year's Eve," psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chabbria explains. "Those who feel bad about being single or don't have anywhere to go end up feeling low or depressed. Some would rather go out to drink every day than go home each night." Johnson Thomas, director of AASRA, an NGO that works for suicide prevention, says there has been a jump in the number depressed people calling in, especially in the last three weeks. "These calls are more at night and mostly deal with relationships gone bad. It is a vacation after which most examinations are lined up. Also, with the onset of winter, evenings get darker and gloomy. There is a general increase in mood swings during this time of the year," he says. Psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty feels that year-end is the time when people start reviewing what they have achieved during the year. "Every person has something to be happy or sad about in a year. During this period, some harp on the bad things that have happened and feel low. Also, some get jitters thinking of what might happen in the new year, thus feeling anxious," he says, adding that peer pressure to have "happening" New Year plans might also be a reason for those who cannot or do not want to celebrate. The key, say doctors, is to accept what has happened and be positive about the future. "Feeling good is ones right," says Dr Shetty. "It is only a change of date, not a big deal. Spending New Year with family is as good as celebrating it in a party," Dr Chabbria adds.