The trend of suicide among the people has seen a sharp rise in the first six month of this year. Suicide is considered as a criminal offence, a major mental health problem and it is a desperate attempt to escape agony that has become awful.
Madadgaar National helpline shared the report about suicide to mark the World suicide prevention day, as this day is observed on 10th September every year across the world including Pakistan to promote the worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicide.
Madadgaar National Helpine’s Database documented total 751 cases of suicide during January to June, 2012 across Pakistan. In these six month as many as 136 children, 303 women and 312 male committed suicide.
As many as 32762 people committed suicide, including 4031 cases of children, 11752 of women and 16975 of male were documented across Pakistan during the last 12 years (2001-12). The report shared by the organization has been compiled from the monitoring of different national, local newspapers. However, a number of cases also went unreported, as families are reluctant to register the case as suicide or attempted suicide because they consider suicide and attempt suicide as social stigma. Men are more likely to commit suicide as data showed.
It seems strong association between poor socio-economic conditions and suicide in Pakistan. Domestic violence, poverty and loss of control over their lives, insecurity, hopelessness about their future and depression are the most common reason for suicide. Whereas, poisoning, firearm, hanging, excess use of medicines or sleeping pills, use of insecticides and jumping from height are most common methods of committing and attempting suicide.
Zia Ahmed Awan President Lawyers for human rights and legal aid (LHRLA) regretted over the rising incidents of suicide and attempt suicide. He said, it shows that due to the lack of basic facilities provided, lack of resources, poorly established health services and political instability make suicide prevention an alarming challenge in Pakistan.