The trend has been on the rise overt he past three decades, according to Dr Ajit Bhide, vice president, Medico Pastoral Association (MPA) and consultant psychiatrist at St Martha's Hospital.
Speaking at a programme to mark Suicide Prevention Day in the City, Dr Bhide said he encountered one person who attempted suicide, in the hospital every day. "With no support system and mounting stress, many young people commit suicide as an act of desperation," he said.
The programme was jointly organised MPA and Sampurna Montfort College.
A significant number of people who attempt suicide suffer from mental illness, with depression being one of the main causes. Counsellors should be patient, innovative, sensitive and careful while dealing with such, he said.
Dr Bhide explained that Bangalore had the highest number of suicides in the country in the past 30 years as the cases were reported more accurately here. "The highest number of suicides is in Kerala. Cities having more floating population are increasingly prone to suicides," he said.
Dr Preeti S of Spandana Hospital said that possibilities of a person repeating suicide attempt is three times higher especially in the first six months following the first attempt. "A planned suicide is more dangerous than an impulsive one as they are more successful," she said.
