Description

About the Author

Dr. Siby Mathews was born in Changanacherry, in the Central part of Kerala State. He completed Post Graduate course in Economics and Sociology. He was selected to Indian Police Service in 1977. Worked as Police Commissioner in Cochin, Calicut and Trivandrum, and also for a long stint in Crime Branch, Anti-Corruption Bureau and Intelligence Branch. Was awarded Ph.D. from Mahatama Gandhi University for his thesis on ‘Social and Economic Aspects of High Rate of Suicides in Kerala.’ After taking voluntary retirement from LPS. in 2011, at present working as Chief Information Commissioner, Kerala State Information Commission.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

PREFACE

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1

Background of the Study

CHAPTER 2

Previous Studies and Concepts

A Tale Told by an Idiot?

What Religious Books Teach

Philosophy of suicide

Three categories of suicides

CHAPTER 3

Kerala Tops in Suicide Rate

The Soaring suicide Rate

The Planners Close Their Eyes

CHAPTER 4

A Study of Five Districts

Why Five Districts?

CHAPTER 5

Common Features and Trends

Time of Incident

Religious Faith and Suicide

Means of committing suicide.

CHAPTER 6

Debt-ridden Farmers End Their Lives

Suicides in Wayanad District (2004)

CHAPTER 7

Teenagers Snuff out their Lives

Teenage Suicides — Two Incidents

CHAPTER 8

Recent Trends

Male-Female Ratio

Suicide of Housewives

Education Level and Health

Suicide and Artistic Talents

Means Adopted to Commit Suicide

CHAPTER 9

Weird, Painful Truths

CHAPTER 10

Back from the Jaws of Death

Experience from Suicide Clinics

Story of Lathika and Sunitha

CHAPTER 11

Action Plan to Prevent Suicides

CHAPTER 12

Be a Helpline Volunteer

CHAPTER 13

Let’s Share a Smile

Wilfred Teaches a Lesson

Another Lesson from Viji

Some Misconceptions

Role of the Media

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

EPILOGUE

POSTSCRIPT

ART GALLERY