Suicide rates in India are highest in the 15-29 age group

Young Indians are more likely to commit suicide than previously thought, especially those living in wealthier and more educated regions, according to a study on Friday that experts say suggests India's rapid development is driving many youths to despair.

Opportunities that have come with two decades of economic boom and open MARKETS have also brought more job anxiety, higher expectations and more pressure to achieve, mental heal
th experts said.

India has some of the world's highest suicide rates, with many believing the biggest risk group to be rural farmers facing debt after poor harvests.

However, the study - published in the Lancet medical journal on Friday - says suicide rates are highest in the 15-29 age group, peaking in southern regions that are considered richer and more developed with better education, social welfare and health care.

That puts the young at high risk - a new phenomenon experts said has happened recently as more middle-class youths strive to meet achievement expectations, and new technologies like cell phones and social networking sites help break down traditional family units once relied on for support.

Overall, the report uses a national government survey of deaths in 2001-03 to estimate 187,000 suicides took place in 2010, making it the cause of 3 per cent of deaths that year.

The WHO reports about 1 million suicides a year, which would be a rate of about 14 per 100,000 in a global population of 7 billion. By comparison, the U.S. had 37,790 suicides in 2010, or a rate of 12.2 per 100,000, while India's rate under the Lancet's projected suicide tally of 187,000 would be near 16 - far higher than earlier reports and estimates of around 10.

There has been little scientific examination of suicide motives in India.

While The Lancet study does not address the question of motivation, the report's authors, as well as experts not associated with the study, saw few likely reasons for the rise in suicide among young people beyond the increased pressure that has come with new economic opportunity and social fragmentation.

The higher rates may come from "the greater likelihood of disappointments when aspirations that define success and happiness are distorted or unmet by the reality faced by young people in a rapidly changing society," said Dr. Vikram Patel, one of the report's authors, in an editorial printed in The Hindu.

He also noted online social networking was making "loneliness more common." He admits his conclusion is conjecture, but says "I cannot think of any more plausible explanation."

Among men, 40 per cent of suicides were among people age 15-29. For women, it was nearly 60 per cent.

The numbers mean young men are nearly as likely to die from suicide as in traffic accidents, while rates of suicide among young women are nearly as high as the rate of death by complications from pregnancy or childbirth.

The revelation has shocked many in a country notorious for poor maternal health care statistics.

"We can only guess broadly at what might be behind it. People say partially the rapid changes on society that have come with globalization, the breakdown of the families," said Dr. Roy Abraham, president of the Indian Psychiatric Society.

There are few facilities in India for mental health problems, and stigmas prevent many people from seeking support. Telephone help lines are often not adequately staffed, and many schools do not have counsellors.

"Mental health is not a priority in India," he said. "It has to be a priority. Many people are not aware of the fact that mental health is behind suicide."

Courts are starting to mandate programs for educating people about public health issues including suicide, sexuality and drug abuse, experts said.

"The young face very high competition and pressure from families to succeed. Many parents think their child should come first in the class. Of course, that can't happen," said Dr. T.S. Sathyanarayana Rao, head of psychiatry at J. S. S. Medical College & Hospital in Mysore, 140 kilometers (87 miles) from the nation's technology centre of Bangalore.

When youths start to despair, they often don't think to seek help, or shun the idea because "they think psychiatry is only for crazy people," he said.

Many suicide cases still go unreported, expert said, as people hide what is still an illegal act in India, the report says.

Personality Disorder

Having a personality disorder doesn’t mean that your personality is somehow flawed or there is something fundamentally wrong with who you are. Rather, someone with a personality disorder has rigid patterns of thought and behavior which makes it difficult to relate to people and situations. This has a negative effect on interpersonal relationships. Most people with a personality disorder are unable to sustain meaningful and fulfilling relationships at home or at work, and experience other problems functioning in social and occupational situations.

But you’re not powerless. Personality disorders are one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric conditions. There are effective treatments and coping skills that can help you feel be
tter, take back control of your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and build fulfilling relationships.

By understanding personality disorders, you can identify the best ways to regain control and lead a full and meaningful life.

What is a personality disorder?

A personality disorder is a condition that creates an unhealthy pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Most people with a personality disorder experience chronic instability, especially in their relationships, moods, and behavior. You may feel like you’re unable to relate to the world around you or that your thoughts and impulses are out of control.

Since your way of thinking and behaving seems natural to you, you may not even realize that you have a problem. Instead, you may blame others for the difficulties you face, which can cause even more problems in your interpersonal relationships. With the right treatment and coping skills, though, you can regain control of your life.

How Distance Education Has Changed The Face Of Education In India

Education plays a very important role in the development of an individual. Quality education gives people the platform to learn and grow intellectually. However, face to face regular education is not made for everybody. For the under privileged section of society, housewives and working adults pursuing a regular degree is next to impossible. But this doesn’t mean that they should not have an opportunity to grow intellectually.

Distance education or the more popularly known form that is correspondence courses offer amazing opportunities to such people. Opportunities which otherwise would not have been possible.

Distance Education has improved in the last couple of years:

With development in technology the quality of distance education has improved drastically. Earlier distance education only involved the printed text material which was provided to student via post and other sources. Contact with qualified teachers was virtually next to impossible when the trend of distance education began. However, with the advent of internet, the face of distance education has changed completely.

Now students can have a classroom environment in the comfort of their homes via video conferencing and other services. For people who don’t have the opportunity or the time to pursue a regular course this form of learning has come as a blessing. Especially in the case of higher learning distance education has become very successful as well as helpful.

Distance Education also paves the road for foreign universities to set up in India:

After the coming of distance education, many established foreign universities have shown interest in setting up their branch in India.  This has opened the door for millions of students all over the country who do not have the privilege to study abroad. These universities are legitimate.

Distance education covers a vast gamut of courses. From small hobby courses to pursuing degree courses, distance education offers every opportunity possible. This is a wonderful opportunity for students all over the country who have the zeal to further their careers but do not have the time or the privilege to do so. Now with internet one can have knowledge from all over the world sitting anywhere and according to their time and convenience.

Distance Education very popular for students pursuing post graduation:

A degree in MBA has been one of the most popular courses which many students prefer to study via correspondence. Post graduate courses usually become the most popular correspondence courses. This is because by the time of graduation most students find a job which they want to continue along with their further education. As a result Distance Education has become one of the most sought for forms of learning for students who want to continue earning along with their learning.

Regular courses, especially the post graduation courses have very few seats in most universities. This is also one of the many reasons for Distance Education to flourish in India. As the market of students is huge but the opportunities are still very limited, correspondence education allows for more opportunities for kids all over the country. It is no longer looked down upon and many people have begun to seize this form of learning as an opportunity.