Background Points for Counselors going to India to work with high school teachers on recognizing and addressing problems of depression and suicide among teenagers:

Points for Discussion on Issue of Depression/Suicide among Youth of India

in Schools of Ambur Synod , India Evangelical Lutheran Church

Sources of Depression

1.   poverty

2.   population pressures

3.   crowded living conditions

4.   sexual frustrations

5.   dowry

6.   pressure of government exams (10 th and 12 th grades)

7.   social oppression of outcastes (“uintouchables,” “dalits”)

8.   exclusion of Christians from government “affirmative action” programs

9.   educated unemployed

10.   semi-educated

11.   “spoiled” girls

12.   orphans

Means of Suicide

1.   poisoning

2.   train

Sources of Support

1.   extended family

2.   involved community

3.   congregation and pastor

4.   loyal same-sex friendships

Situation in IELC Schools

1.   training at Concordia Teachers Training Institute, Ambur, for village schools

2.   82 schools in all three Synods (4 high schools in Ambur Synod)

3.   CTTI-trained teachers assist pastor in village ministries

4.   teachers paid by government, receive excellent salaries

5.   large classes (30-50 students in room)

6.   only basic facilities for teaching

7.   some facilities very inadequate

8.   special coaching before gov’t. exams

9.   politics over appointment of teachers in schools

10.   general elections finally held in IELC in June – contested in court

11. vast majority of teachers in Ambur Synod schools are IELC members