Charity Aims To Reduce Suicide In South Asian Community

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Mental Health
Article Date: 11 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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To mark World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, PAPYRUS the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, is launching new resources that aim to reduce the current alarming number of suicides by young South Asian people. Now available are a short film If Only … and an audio Urdu translation of the charity's booklet Not Just a Cry for Help.

Research studies highlight the increased risk of self harm and suicide in young South Asian women, which can be double that of the rest of the population. A study by Raleigh* comparing the rates of suicide in a number of ethnic groups in England and Wales found that when compared with the national average the suicide rate for Indian women was high. This was found to increase 2 to 3 fold in the 15 to 34 age group. Pakistani and Bangladeshi women is this age group are also at increased risk.

The National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England identifies that more work needs to be done to raise awareness of mental health in Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities with particular emphasis on South Asian women. PAPYRUS intends that these new resources are just the beginning of its response.

With funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families PAPYRUS commissioned the film If Only … to raise awareness of the vulnerability factors that can increase the risk of self harm and suicide in the South Asian Community - both young women and men. Issues explored within the film include domestic violence, forced marriage, cultural conflict, family honour and shame.

PAPYRUS trustee, 24 year old Samina Hassan led the initiative. "The rates of suicide and self harm in the South Asian community need to be highlighted," she said. "Suicide and self harm are often regarded as taboo subjects in these communities and are rarely talked about. South Asians are one of the groups who are least likely to seek help for mental distress. Language barriers and lack of cultural awareness can often mean that there is a lack of support.

"There are serious issues in these communities that are too often suppressed. This can lead to severe distress: at worst, suicide," Samina emphasised. If only … attempts to explore and facilitate discussion on some of these concerns. Whilst some of the issues covered in the film may feature in a number of people's lives, it is important that the assumption is not made that this is the case for all South Asians. This can be just as damaging as ignoring the issues altogether."

Focusing on issues close to four young people - Bilal, Saima, Mamood and Farhat - and the reaction of people around them, the film covers high risk factors for both suicide and attempted suicide. Each story identifies a number of themes that can be explored further. An accompanying booklet offers practical guidance on how to discuss suicidal feelings - how to respond, what to say and do.

PAPYRUS believes the new resources are a valuable resource for use in schools, colleges and universities, youth clubs, mental health and social services. The charity also hopes they will also be used to facilitate discussion within these communities.

PAPYRUS commissioned Doc Redeye Productions, a Burnley-based independent film and music company to produce the film. Having lost a friend through suicide, Doc Redeye director, Steve Reid was pleased to be involved. "We aimed to be relevant and controversial but to tackle the subject gently," he commented. Why If Only …? "Because it is what you think … if only I had done this or said that."

For more information and copies of the DVD and Urdu CD please contact PAPYRUS tel 01282 432 555 email admin@papyrus-uk.org or visit http://www.papyrus-uk.org

* Raleigh VS (1996) Suicide patterns and trends in people of Indian Subcontinent and Caribbean origin in England and Wales. Ethnicity and Health 1:1, pages 55-63.

About PAPYRUS

PAPYRUS is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. It was founded in 1997 by a group of parents who had lost a son or daughter to suicide. PAPYRUS supports families, concerned friends, medics, mental health professionals, education staff and others who work with young people. Its publications, many of which can be downloaded at http://www.papyrus-uk.org, are used extensively by, for example, parents, schools, medical staff, social workers and prison staff.

The charity's helpline - HOPELineUK 08000 68 41 41 - is a telephone service staffed by trained professionals who listen, give practical advice, information and support needed in order to approach and respond to suicidal feelings. It has helped hundreds of concerned parents and other family members, friends, teachers and professionals.

PAPYRUS