Suicide and Suicide Attempts
The number of Suicide cases in Goa is increasing at an astounding rate. To understand the situation and the ramifications, the Post Graduate Department of Psychology, St. Xaviers College organized a programme on 17th September 2005. Dr. Ligia Cascabulho was the key speaker for the programme. Dr. Ligia Cascabulho is a Brazalian Psychologist residing in Goa and who has a vast experience in projects concerned with Child Psychology and Mental Disorders. Dr. Ligia Cascabulho appreciated the willingness of the students and the Department to freely and openly discuss the topic of suicide. She said that the mindset of the person, the environment, family background, unemployment, accumulation of losses, social and physical and cultural set up all this and other reasons can contribute to the tendency to commit this horrible crime. She also said that people, who attempt to destroy themselves, appear like mental patients, requiring psychiatric and/ or psychological help. She explained how suicide can be seen from different perspectives like: altruistic/ heroic suicide, philosophical suicide, religious suicide, romantic suicide, media influence and contagion suicide with relevant examples. She stressed that as a professional, one should know about the causes of the attempt, degree of suicidal intent, presence of mental illness, current suicidal risk, previous suicide attempts, family and personal history, social support available for the person, the persons usual ability to cope with stress, his/ her regulations of emotions and further management. She emphasized the importance of follow- up for at least 12 months and the creation of a support system for the person. The talk was followed by an interactive question and answer session, in which the students clarified their doubts and misconceptions about the topic. The talk created an awareness about the various ways in which the students can help people who are in distress and contemplate suicide.
