‘Befriend and sense early signs’

Expert view
Always keep  all communication channels open
Suicide has become a universal phenomenon nowadays. It disturbs me to know that the toll is mounting by the day. We need to understand what compels a person to reach such a stage. Usually it happens when a person cannot handle pressure. But if we take the case of every child, we must try to deal with it practically. Firstly, parents should always keep open communication with their children. If you communicate well with children, it is possible to understand what is going on in their mind. In this way, parents can understand their problems and children feel they have someone who understands them. As a parent, if you find anything wrong, don't react angrily. Take their misdemeanours in your stride. Make them comfortable and let them accept their mistakes. Parents and children should always try to be non-judgmental in their conversation. Try to have an informal relation with your child, which will make them feel close to you.
Johnson Thomas, director,  AASRA suicide prevention helpline

Teachers should try to identify problems among pupils 
It is imperative for teachers to  understand their pupils. This is not always easy, since there are a large number of children in the classroom. But we make a point to identify the weaker students, who need to improve their performance. There is no need to maintain formal relations with children, if we become their friends, we will be able to relate to their issues. Moreover there is need to have  constant communication with the  students. It solves many problems as regular communication will create a bond among teachers and students. Instead of forcing students to become disciplined, we should help them  understand why it is required. If
students find a subject boring, then it is our duty to make it interesting. Mumbai University encourages this  informality. Anyone can reach us even beyond work timing. 
Mangesh Karandikar, lecturer, Mumbai University

Children have a lot to learn from guardians
It is difficult to label someone as good or bad since all of us have positive and negative traits. But a good parent or child is someone who knows the expected responsibilities and duties. Breaking laws - small or big - add to negative traits of a person.
But one should never get confused between a lawbreaker and a naughty child. Everyone needs to be tackled in a different manner. Parents play an important role in a child’s life. They learn virtues from them and follow whatever is taught by their parents. Hence, they have a lot of pressure on their shoulders.
A good parent should have following qualities
They should try to spend quality time with their children.
They should try to listen to their children rather than just talk to them. They should allow the child to tell them what is happening in their life.
Parents should share a good relationship with their child’s friends too. They shouldn’t pressurise their child into multi-tasking and compel them to join multiple classes to make their ward a ‘superchild’.
Many times, parents try to fulfil their aspirations through their child. This is wrong. One should allow their child to do whatever they are interested in.
If parents find anything wrong with a child, like mood swings or depression, then they should take professional help rather than ignore or try to solve it themselves.
Yusuf Matcheswala, psychiatrist, Masina Hospital

Scolding adds negativity, child may rebel
When my son entered his teens, his percentage plummeted. Instead of scolding him, I sat with him and explained to him the importance of doing well if he wanted a successful career. Also, parents should know that if their child is not good in academics, there are other fields he or she can opt. I have always followed the adage ‘awakening comes from within’. It happened with my son when he studied hard and scored 80% in class IX. Admonishment is never a good option, since it adds to negativity. The child might start rebelling.   
—Ashok Savalani

Don't preach, teach values to kids instead
Home minister RR Patil has expressed concern over the rising number of suicides among students. He has stressed the need for serious introspection in the current education system. The students have not had an opportunity to see anything in life and they are still taking an extreme step. Apart from parents exerting pressure on their children, schools and colleges also want fame by bringing more students in the merit list. As a parent, one has to teach a child good manners, discipline and human values. It is also well known that a child's mind is similar to a mirror. They imbibe whatever we do, hence parents cultivate good manners. Don't about fret what he must be tomorrow, he is an entity today. —Bhalchandra Waghe

Talk to them without interfering too much
When my daughter was in class V, she refused to go in for her tuition classes. We got a little angry, but after talking to her we came to know that the instructor was too strict. Now that she has been studying on her own, she has been able to perform well. Children have to realise that studies are important as well.  Also, we don’t interfere too much but always talk to know her routine in school. This helps us to know if anything is troubling her. Guiding and taking interest in a child’s life are as important as focusing on their academics.   
—Hema Talati

Try not to impose your wishes on the child
We have never pressurised our child. I won't burden her to join the so-called 'preferred streams'. I think the best thing a parent should do is be encouraging towards a child. Support and encouragement of parents are vital in a child's development. Also it's important that we don't enforce our wishes or desires on a child. During the recent Sankranti festival, she didn't feel like attending tuitions, so I didn't force her since she is good in academics. It is permissible to bunk school, once in a while. We should nurture whatever talent that our children have rather than being overbearing.     
—Deven M