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Have your mind ever brought the thought of doing suicide?

It's a difficult question to answer as our society has a serious taboo on talking about it. Or, you may also be angry about my question that what a ridiculous question am I asking? The answer may be a big 'NO' or may be 'Yes sometimes'. And, I don't open my mouth big if I get a positive response from you that yes it has sometimes aroused in your mind as there are so many failures in our lives and the pressure is so big that sometimes the thought of suicide may haunt us.

But have we ever thought that can the same thought of suicide may haunt a child so much that finally he does it?

Now, there is something big to think about as we take children as innocent and don't think that they would have any kind of pressure of failures and disappointments in their lives. But, this is being a reality and many children in Nepal are giving up their lives themselves.

 In March, a 10 year old boy of Rukumkot district was found hanging at cowshed with a rope around his neck, shocking the whole community. Though the autopsy result confirmed that the boy killed himself, the reason behind the tragic action was unknown. But he was not the first case there; records of the District Police Office (DPO) showed that seven children including five girls and two boys had committed suicide in the last one year there.

In June another 10 year old child, Sandip Mahato from Chitwan district committed suicide by hanging himself in the house. The reason behind that was also unknown.

And here in July last Saturday, yet tragic news came from Chitwan again that a 12 year old Devila Chhetri committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan with a rope at the house. It is said that investigation into the incident is underway.

In all these three evidences from this year, the reasons for their suicide is unknown but this definitely shows that the rate of suicidal case is increasing alarmingly and this is not a good news. Suicide in children in Nepal appears to be a concealed but serious problem requiring immediate attention and systematic efforts.

Here, we don't have nation base data in child suicide. The report most of the times comes only by individual resources so that it is difficult to say trend of child suicide rate in Nepal, which may also be understatement, as most suicides are not reported due to legal problems, arising from the fact that suicide is still considered to be a criminal case.

The problem is so distressing that those children as young as seven year old have also been reported committing suicide. But, why innocent minds are choosing suicide as their ultimate destination is a big question.

The causes of most of the suicide cases, however, remain hidden. Police investigation shows quarrels among parents, academic failure, harsh treatment, lack of care and love, links to drug addiction and other traumatic psychological conditions are to blame for this situation.

Similarly experts on this issue attribute personal background of children to the causes of such crimes. According to them, increase in child suicide is the indication of ruthless change in the society. Depression and frustration force children to commit suicide. Psychologists comment that generally the lack of proper parental guidance, torture to children, bullying at schools and imitations from movies have provoked children to kill themselves.

Psychologists are in agreement that raising awareness and ending stigmatization is key to cutting child suicide case. They are of the opinion that suicide is largely preventable-if it is studied and understood seriously. With this, we can blame our government for not making proper national policy even after the bitter fact. But, here I find the role of concerned guardians more important. 

A research by American National Mental Health Institute has proved that suicide can be prevented with proper intervention for which parents and teachers have a big role in it. They must be good listeners and observers. Parents and teachers can help prevent suicide by learning the mechanisms necessary to identify and respond to their children and students who are at risk of suicide as well as other risk and self-destructive behaviors. If a child seems to be depressed and is not talking to anyone, family members and teachers should try to engage them in something more creative.

Yes, I agree that it is difficult to say whether the particular child has been facing any traumatic condition or not in his life without being told by him. It's also true that many suicidal children do not self-refer, but they do show warning signs to their peers, parents and trusted school personnel. We can notice their changed behaviors.

The most important thing is we don't have to wait for the child to be serious to go and talk to them, though. Our child needs to know we're always there for them to care for and to support them no matter what. So, sometimes just showing our interest on them and sharing them that how much we love them may intrude their suicidal attempt and may save their life.