Over 16,000 school and college students in India committed suicide in the last three years, says the health ministry, shedding light once again on the sorry state of mental healthcare in the country.
As per the ministry, 5,857 students committed suicide in 2006 and the figure for 2005 was 5,138. Similarly, in 2004, 5,610 students committed suicide.
'We know about the gravity of the situation and are going to re-strategise the national mental health programme,' Anbumani Ramadoss told IANS.
Experts, doctors and even the World Health Organisation (WHO) believe that a multi-pronged strategy needs to be put in place to tackle problems ranging from anxiety, depression, stress and finally suicidal tendencies.
Cherian Verghese, a specialist with WHO India, said: 'The mental health system needs an overhaul. Our schools might be giving good education but we need education in life skills. From counselling to increasing the number of mental health workers, the strategy should be holistic.'
'Students are a vulnerable group. Age, competition and relations in the family are all contributing to the growing cases of suicide among schoolgoers,' Verghese said.
He said some private schools in India had started appointing counsellors but 'government schools across the country need to make a move now'. Full story...
See also: The Japanese and suicide...
And this: What's going on in Bridgend?
As per the ministry, 5,857 students committed suicide in 2006 and the figure for 2005 was 5,138. Similarly, in 2004, 5,610 students committed suicide.
'We know about the gravity of the situation and are going to re-strategise the national mental health programme,' Anbumani Ramadoss told IANS.
Experts, doctors and even the World Health Organisation (WHO) believe that a multi-pronged strategy needs to be put in place to tackle problems ranging from anxiety, depression, stress and finally suicidal tendencies.
Cherian Verghese, a specialist with WHO India, said: 'The mental health system needs an overhaul. Our schools might be giving good education but we need education in life skills. From counselling to increasing the number of mental health workers, the strategy should be holistic.'
'Students are a vulnerable group. Age, competition and relations in the family are all contributing to the growing cases of suicide among schoolgoers,' Verghese said.
He said some private schools in India had started appointing counsellors but 'government schools across the country need to make a move now'. Full story...
See also: The Japanese and suicide...
And this: What's going on in Bridgend?
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