Psychiatrist on suicide crowds: Social media, poor parenting to blame

Psychiatrist Dr Varma Deyalsingh this afternoon gave his thoughts on the phenomenon of some people encouraging distressed people to kill themselves while in public.

Speaking with Newsday, Deyalsingh said the apparent lack of empathy and concern on the part of some people comes from desensitisation to violence and the urge to put social media popularity before human life in some cases.

"Somehow we are challenged with that, and we are seeing it with increased suicides in this generation and other generations to come. The problem is social media has a major part to play in desensitising the public to violence and carnage. Most people now just want to be the one person to say, 'I was on the scene first.' They are out of touch with the feelings of others."

He said social media was only one part of the problem and said a general breakdown in family values and ethics were also to blame.

"The other problem is a lack of a family link, a lack of family values. We see it right through society."

Deyalsingh said in order to address the issue properly parents should work towards teaching their children proper morals and values for better socialisation.