Although a “light moment” with a sibling hours before 17-year-old Chrisey-Ann Davis took her life was struck out by her mother as the reason for the tragedy, psychiatrist Dr Ganesh Shetty is warning that sometimes making jokes about persons in pain or suffering from disabilities could push them over the edge.
Shetty, a respected child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist, told The Gleaner that while unable to speak to the specifics of Davis’ case, jokes about her condition could have contributed to the tragedy.
“Physical and emotional pain, and injury to a teen’s self-image and self-esteem, depression, sense of hopelessness about the future being better, adolescent impulsivity play a role in such very unfortunate incidents,” Shetty told The Gleaner.
“Acute loss or rejection, impulsivity, access to means to self-harm, exposure to traumatic experiences like physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; bullying; witnessing violence at home, school, and communities; feelings of hopelessness or helplessness; aggressive or disruptive behaviour; drug use; family history of suicide attempts can all contribute to increasing the chance of a youngster thinking of and attempting suicide.
The psychiatrist said that parents should seek professional help for children exhibiting such warning signs.
