By Dr. Blaise Aguirre: Imagine a pain so overwhelming that suicide feels like the only escape. For some, a future marked by prolonged illness and relentless suffering seems unbearable. For others battling mental illness, the weight of emotional distress can make despair feel inescapable. But suicide is not the only way out—it never is.
And yet, in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO), estimated a statistic of nearly 800,000 deaths every year by suicide alone. In India, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the age-group of 15 to 29. Further, indicating a disturbing rise, in 2023, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB 2023) reported over 150,000 deaths by suicide, with a significant number involving adolescents.
It is heartbreaking to learn that even as these statistics represent the tragic loss of life, ongoing lack of awareness and enduring social stigma have stood in the way of implementing available solutions.
It takes a lot more than a single trigger to push someone to the point that anyone feels that they are left with no other choice than to end their own life. A young mind in this rapidly evolving world is exposed to multiple stressors before they have developed the capabilities and skills to deal with them. The stress of academic competition, social bullying or family dynamics can work as early triggers, making a child increasingly vulnerable to the impact of more critical experiences.
Intense negative thoughts and emotions, as well as isolation, further exacerbate the mental functioning and can lead to depression, anxiety and even self-harm as a way of coping with negative mood states. Withdrawal, isolation, irritability and substance use can be early signs of a looming mental health condition, which, if not addressed, can lead a teen to feel helpless and hopeless.
Emotional resilience is the capacity to recover, adapt, and grow in the face of adversity. A WHO report on adolescent mental health emphasises skill building approaches to be integrated into schools and communities. Teaching youth requires a well-equipped and informed group of adults who can open doors without the child feeling judged or afraid to be vulnerable. “The key to suicide prevention lies in empowering youth with emotional resilience, teaching them skills that foster healthy relationships, effective emotion regulation strategies, a better capacity to tolerate distress, as well as self-compassion, and mindfulness. We must ensure that emotional well-being is nurtured alongside academic and social growth.”
Introducing some of the resilience building skill sets from treatments such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) within schools and institutions, will not only ensure an early intervention where a potentially worse mental health problem can be addressed as soon as problems appear, but also helps to destigmatise seeking help through psychoeducation which includes the dispelling of myths.
Practices as simple, and yet profound, as the intentional focus deep breathing exercises can provide momentary re-centring allowing for more effective problem solving. STOP – a crisis survival strategy of DBT broken down to Stop, Take a step back, Observe, Proceed mindfully — is a similar example of a DBT skill that helps a person act less impulsively. Beyond DBT, for certain mental health conditions, meditation, gratitude journaling, guided relaxation, gentle exercise and many other such techniques have been shown to be as, if not more, effective in the long run, than the sole use of strong medications.
A nurturing and supportive environment can help reduce the amount and intensity of professional mental health services. Open communication, transparency and clarity are keys to compassionate delivery of effective mental health treatments. When considering a healthy mind, a healthy body is equally essential. A review by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) details how physical activity reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety in youth, and the addition of regular exercise to a standard mental health regime, can lead to a magnification of the benefits of the standard approach.
“All’s well that ends well” — these famous words by William Shakespear make a fair point. But a good start holds a better possibility of a great ending. The alarming increase in youth suicide calls for an immediate action. Data-driven insights and simple, yet effective strategies are imperative to fostering mental resilience in today’s youth. By equipping young minds with the necessary tools to cope with life’s challenges, we can pave the way for a future where every individual finds hope, strength, and the ability to break free from the chains of despair and create a life worth living.
Dr. Blaise Aguirre, MD, Founding Medical Director, 3East DBT Continuum, McLean Hospital, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.
[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]
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