India has witnessed an increase of 60,000 cases of suicide in the last two decades. In 1980, there were 40,000 cases and in 2000 it has increased to one lakh cases. The main reasons for suicide are family discords, unhealthy competition in educational institutions, frustrations in work place, chronic diseases and chemical imbalances in the brain, which resulted in abnormal behaviour and thoughts. These are some of the findings by 12 hospitals in Bangalore following a study was initiated by the National Institute of Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in association with the World Health Organisation.

At a workshop on 'Suicide prevention-role of media personnel' held at the NIMHANS here today, brought to light whether media portrayal and reporting of suicides influences the society and if they have the power to trigger suicide among people.

As a part of NIMHANS efforts to prevent more suicides a programme: "Suicide prevention capacity building strategies," was organised Dr. G Gururaj, professor and head, department of epidemiology said that Bangalore reported one of the highest cases of suicides and NIMHANS was making all efforts to curb it. In 1997, the suicides rates were around 25 per one lakh population, 31 per lakh in 1998 and 35 per lakh in 1999. The media reported only 10 per cent of the cases.

The victims belonged to a younger age group between 15-34 years of age. The mode of suicide was either hanging or consuming poisonous compounds. Most of the cases committed suicide from home in situations was they were alone, he noted. A major cause of suicide among women reported were due to alcoholic husbands, harassments after marriage that led to the frustrations. The study revealed that 86 per cent of the cases did not want to die and hence the attempts failed while the 14 percent wanted to end their lives.

An analysis of the cause of suicide from the victims' family members revealed that there were often indications by the victim that he was frustrated with life and these intimations were either oral or written.

Dr. Gururaj pointed out that timely intervention of family members was vital and such intentions by victim should never be ridiculed. There was medical care and counselling available. Early diagnosis of abnormal conditions and support was vital.

According to Dr. Mohan. K Isaac, professor, department of psychiatry, NIMHANS media played a crucial role to trigger the cause and preventing suicides.

The reasons, methods and frequency of suicides are different in India unlike the West. "Our country, the cases were more frequent, victims belonged to younger age group and methods used were consuming poisonous compounds hanging or burns. While in the West, the suicides cases were higher among the elderly population, and mostly firearms were used," informed Dr. Isaac.