Home / Health / Pune Project: Young Lives Matter, Suicide Survivors Speak
Pune Project: Young Lives Matter, Suicide Survivors Speak
18 Feb
Summary
- Project identifies eight factors beyond mental illness contributing to suicide attempts.
- Relationship difficulties and socio-economic status are significant risk factors.
- Suicide attempts in India are often communicative acts, not solely about wanting to die.
A groundbreaking "Young Lives Matter" project in Pune, India, has shed light on the complex factors contributing to suicide attempts among young people. Published in SSM-Mental Health and BMC Psychiatry, the research moves beyond a sole focus on mental illness, identifying eight significant risk factors. These include low socioeconomic status, impulsivity, infrequent social interactions, negative life events, and interpersonal conflicts within relationships.
The project interviewed young survivors at YCM Hospital, revealing that socio-cultural norms and relationship difficulties, such as abusive romantic relationships or dysfunctional parenting, were dominant. For many, suicide attempts are not solely about a desire to die but serve as a desperate communicative act to force change when their voices feel unheard or their situations stagnant.
While depression and anxiety were often present, they frequently emerged as reactions to accumulated negative experiences. Financial hardships, with their associated social adversities and limited choices, also played a major role. Notably, alcohol use was identified as a risk factor specifically for young men.
The findings underscore the need for a multifactorial approach to suicide prevention in India, a country where suicide is the principal cause of death for individuals aged 15-29. The research offers a holistic risk profile tailored to Indian youth, emphasizing the critical importance of social issues alongside mental health.
