Ronald D’Costa (second from right) and N Ram (third from right) address newsmen on Thursday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Sept. 9: Nine months and 126 suicides and counting — chilling statistics for the steel city with a 23 percent suicide rate, nearly five times that of the national average.

The magnitude of the problem has prompted suicide prevention centre Jeevan to organise a seminar for generating awareness against suicides on World Suicide Prevention Day at the Bistupur-based Chambers Bhavan tomorrow.

The centre has invited clinical psychologist Zeenat Merchant Syal to speak on the positive management of stress and depression. With city superintendent of police, Jatin Narwal, as chief guest, students of around 68 schools, members of social organisations and volunteers would attend the seminar.

This year, an overwhelming majority of those who took their lives — 118 out of 126 — were less than 45 years old, citing reasons such as family pressures, failed love affairs and financial problems. Last year, the overall count was 136. “This increasing trend of suicides in the city, especially among youngsters, is alarming. We must join hands to reach out to depressed people while there is still time, and let them know there are ways other than suicide to solve life’s problems,” said Jeevan director N. Ram.

The centre had organised a training camp for senior school students early this year, counselling and distributing posters in schools. This year, the centre received about 111 calls — up from 92 last year — from depressed people who needed help. However, experts were unanimous in their opinion that emotional succour began at home.

“Jamshedpur is mostly a city of nuclear families with high disposable income. Children do not know how to adjust to difficult situations. Peer pressure adds to depression. If parents create a positive and balanced home ambience, a major part of the problem is solved. Most importantly, people need love,” said Jeevan’s chairperson Ronald D’Costa.