One suicide every 40 second! That is the alarming rate at
which people kill themselves around the world. Suicide is one of the leading causes
of death, globally. Every suicide is a tragedy and leaves behind family and
friends of deceased devastated and scarred for life. It destroys homes and
lives of people who are left behind to mourn.
Kushal Punjabi, a television actor from India killed himself
yesterday leaving behind his parents, wife and a four-year-old son. This news
has sent shock waves and one shudders to think how his family would cope with
this tragedy. When I think of his four-year-old son and how he will cope with
this loss, I get shivers down my spine. News reports contrast the cause of
suicide from a failed marriage to a failing career. But whatever the cause, every
suicide is tragedy that is even more lamentable because it is preventable.
Kushal Punjabi’s suicide is not the first and we know it is
not going to be the last, but every such incident is a grim reminder how mental
health afflicts people and is the modern-day global epidemic. One in four people
around the world get impacted by mental health problem at some point of their
life. Around 450 million people suffer from mental health issues that cause a range
of problems from stress-related disorders, anxiety, depression and worst of
them all suicides.
Most people focus on keeping themselves physically fit. In
fact, Kushal was known to be fit as a fiddle according to his co-stars. We have
annual health checks, health camps – all focusing on preventable healthcare aiming
to keep people physically fit. However, no such initiatives seem to focus on
mental health. What most people fail to realize and accept that although physical
health is important, a poor mental health will not help a fit body to survive. On
the other hand, a strong mental health may help people to overcome physical
health problems and cope-up better.
Mental health issues are both preventable and treatable, but
we continue to underestimate its importance, or stigmatize the same making it difficult
for people to express or seek help. With fewer than two psychiatrists for every100,000 people, in India, the second most populated country in the world, the
problem become even more acute as even those seeking help are not always able
to access the same.
Despite the progress that mankind has made, mental health
crisis and suicide are still wrapped in many myths. However, the fact is that
these issues affect/can affect anyone irrespective of age, gender, income or
social status.
Every suicide could have been prevented if there was someone
who could listen to them, talk to them; if someone was for them when they faced
despair and hopelessness.
Yes, the person who take this extreme step cannot shrug away
the responsibility but first we need to recognize the fact that they are unwell
and need attention, treatment and care. In absence of the same, the road ahead
is filled with dangerous landmines, a path of no-return.
Whenever we hear of a suicide, we think about it till the
news headlines last and finally shrug it off thinking it has not affected us or
our family or friends. But such risks may be lurking around the corner as
mental health problems come in stealthily. It is a silent-killer.
So, for once, let’s stop ignoring or continue living with in
this blissful ignorance that it can never affect us or our near and dear ones. It is important to educate ourselves on mental
health, signs of deteriorating mental health, understand anxiety, depression
and suicidal symptoms and develop an empathy for people who are affected,
instead of making fun of them, stigmatizing them or ignoring/avoiding them. Mental
health problem is no longer the headache of mental health professionals alone, it
is everyone’s problem and we all need to join hands and make a difference.
Each One, Save One.
