Mumbai: Tragedy struck in the Shivaji Nagar area of Govandi on Tuesday morning when a 13-year-old schoolgirl took her own life. The young girl, currently enrolled in the fourth grade, was grappling with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), causing her to fall sick, feel weak, and experience body pain. Despite her attempts to communicate her distress to her mother, the latter, engrossed in household chores, paid no heed to her daughter's pleas for understanding.
Frequent fights with brother
A week earlier, the girl had her first period, after which her mental state deteriorated, leading to frequent clashes with her mother and 18-year-old brother. A police official in Shivaji Nagar lamented the family's response, stating, "Instead of trying to comprehend her situation, her family members shouted at her, deeming her unreasonable. This only heightened the girl's distress."
The official revealed that three to four days prior to the tragic event, the girl's class teacher noticed her altered behavior and declining academic performance. The concerned teacher recommended counseling and directed her to an NGO affiliated with the school. "During the counseling session, the girl expressed feelings of neglect and loneliness, stating her brother and mother were always occupied, neglecting her whereabouts. The counselor provided reassurance and scheduled another session," the official added.
On the fateful day, the girl was accompanied by her four-year-old nephew inside the apartment. Her mother had gone to another floor in the same building, leaving the young nephew in the hall room. The girl retreated to the bathroom, where she locked herself in. Tragically, she used a cotton braided drawcord from her mother's wardrobe to take her own life. The child's cries alerted the mother, who rushed down and attempted to force open the bathroom door.
Despite immediate efforts to save her, the girl was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, as confirmed by the police. Authorities have filed an accidental death report in this heartbreaking incident.
Suicide Prevention Helpline no. | AASRA
