14 Year Old Girl Attempts Suicide after Being Stressed About Her First Period: Tragedy Ignites Call for Period Education

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a 14-year-old teen ended her life after being stressed over pain due to her first menstruation. The incident took place on March 26, in the Malwani area in Mumbai. This news has come as a shock to everybody as such incidents are quite rare and unheard of. In fact, news like this almost seems unreal.

It’s been reported that the girl was experiencing immense pain in her abdomen after she got her period. Not understanding what to do and being stressed all day, she hung herself in her house late in the evening when nobody was around. On her family’s arrival, she was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital but unfortunately, she was declared dead by the doctors.

Officials speculate that the tragedy may have been caused by a lack of knowledge about menstruation. When it comes to periods, there’s still a stigma attached to it. Some people don’t want to talk about it openly and they think it’s something impure. And that’s why there is a need to change this mindset. It’s high time we educate people about menstruation and how it is important for everyone to be aware of it. This event highlights how crucial it is for parents, guardians, and young people to have honest discussions about menstruation.

Although menstruation is a normal physical process, it is sometimes accompanied by shame and silence. Young girls may feel alone and confused as a result of this lack of open communication, especially when they first get their periods.

Besides, hormonal changes and physical pain are common during the first menstrual period.  These changes can often make young girls feel overwhelmed and can even put them under stress. In such a scenario, it is important to show them some empathy.

Furthermore, to avoid such incidents in the future, here are 5 things that we can do:

• Provide age-appropriate health education programs in schools that cover topics such as menstruation, puberty, and mental health.
• Provide young people with accurate information on their menstrual cycles and bodies. This may include teaching them about period hygiene products, managing discomfort associated with the menstrual cycle, and where to get support when required.
• Provide workshops on parental education so that parents may be better prepared to help their children through menstruation, puberty, and mental health issues.
• Encourage medical specialists in the fields of gynecology, pediatrics, and mental health to offer valuable guidance and support to young people who are dealing with stress connected to menstruation or mental health difficulties.
• Create peer education programs where young adults who have experienced menstruation may guide and support young girls.