Stress and suicidal feelings

Press, 22 April 1986, Page 16

Stress and suicidal feelings

NZPA London More than one in 10 British girls between the ages of 15 and 17 attempt suicide, and a third seriously consider killing themselves, a report claims. The findings come in a stress survey carried out among 2000 teenage girls and young women by “Look Now” magazine. Features editor Doretta Sarris commented: “The suicide figure is quite astounding and very sad.” Over half of those Who

returned questionnaires said they were afraid to go out alone after dark and 17 per cent said they had been assaulted and in some cases raped. Nearly three-quarters said they drank alcohol — some as much as 30 shorts a week — and 32 per cent confessed to smoking up to 100 cigarettes a week. More than a third said they over-ate under stress. Half said they were without sufficient money to live on and more than 50 per cent admitted hav-

ing fallen into serious debt. Nearly half of the 18 to 24-year-olds were unhappy with their work, seeing it merely as a means to earn money. Two thirds felt their jobs put them under too much pressure. Love and relationships were major causes of stress. About 37 per cent who took part in the survey said they had experienced the break-up of longstanding relationships during the past year. One in five were encountering sexual prob-

lems, the biggest worries being over pregnancy and contraception. Most of the women lived at home, although 46 per cent wanted to move, many to find independence and a better social life. Because of stress young women suffered headaches, dizziness, nausea and insomnia.