KATHMANDU: Mental health workers and psychologists have advised people to talk openly about mental health to prevent suicides.

Speaking at a seminar organised here on Sunday to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Dr Srijana Adhikari said,“Those in their late teens to mid-twenties and people above the age of 60 years are more prone to depression. She added that teens were more likely to fall into drug abuse if they felt alone and depressed,” she  added.

Mental health experts also shed light on signs and symptoms of depression such as feeling unhappy, behavioural changes and insomnia, among other. They suggested people to talk openly about mental health issues and listen to others’ problems to help them combat depression, which is one of the leading causes of suicide.

Social changes emerging due to technological advancement, political instability, migration and stress are other emerging causes of suicide.

Advising people to consult a psychiatrist if they have suicidal tendencies, health experts said suicide was 100 per cent preventable. “People express their thoughts and plans to commit suicide during conversation. We only need to pay attention to what they say and think,” informed Dr Narendra Thagunna, mental health expert. Regular exercise, meditation, six to eight hours of sleep is necessary for people to avoid depression, they said.

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