India tops the world in teen suicides as exam stress and depression become key factors. 56% of teen suicides in the country are reported between March and July every year.16 suicides a day or 6,000 a year is the rate at which teenagers take their lives in India.Every 90 minutes a teenager tries to commit suicide.Many of these attempts are half-hearted cries for attention,help and love.More adolescents die of suicide than AIDS,cancer,heart disease.
The experts say watch out for warning signs-90% teens show extreme reluctance to go to school.Over 70% show depressed,irritable mood,ill temper,feelings of worthlessness,sadness or self hatred,inappropriate guilt and acting out behaviour.About 40-50% report headaches,loss of appetite and interest in daily activities and distinct weight change.Over 30% have persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep,excessive daytime sleepiness,fatigue,difficulty concentrating and preoccupation with self.About 48% think about suicide have obsessive fears or worry about death and plan to commit suicide or actually attempt one.
In most cases family members remain unaware of the inchoate emotional forces running in adolescent minds.65% of families do not have an inkling about their children having depression or suicidal tendencies.
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