Of late, Kashmir Valley has been witnessing a disturbing surge in suicide cases and as per media reports in the month of July only more than a dozen people ended their lives by jumping into different water bodies. The increase in suicide cases in is a concerning issue that involves a complex interplay of so many issues including social, economic, psychological etc. Even the prolonged exposure to conflict and violence has led to widespread trauma, anxiety, and depression among the population and has impacted people’s mental health thus triggering, sometimes, suicidal instincts. Unemployment, financial instability, domestic violence, failure in relationships or academics are being cited by experts as some reasons behind taking such extreme steps.
People having suicidal tendencies, in most of the cases, have mental health issues and as the mental health has never been focussed upon in the society, such people are left unattended and whenever there is a little bit trigger, they take the extreme step. As per experts, people with such tendencies show multiple warning signs like preferring to be alone, depression and their social media handles too show signs of their mental health. But it is not always true. There have been cases reported several times where the those ending their lives had no such signs. They were very normal, jolly, communicative but suddenly one day they end up killing themselves. So, it is very complex issue.
Secondly, as the media gives more publicity to such cases, the spread of news creates a copycat phenomenon. Experts believe that because the victims whereabouts and situations are discussed publicly in media and social media platforms, it somewhere can trigger an imitative behaviour in a person who shares a similar situation.
It is a grave issue and needs a comprehensive understanding by the society and the administration. Recently a government communique revealed that the authorities are planning to fence all the bridges on main rivers to stop people jumping into the water bodies with the intension of ending their lives. The idea sounds bizarre. How is it going to stop a person from ending his/ her life. It is a societal issue and needs to be tackled keeping the issues confronting the society, particularly the youth, in consideration. Administration, on its part need to ensure that there are more and more mental health institutions and experts and a massive awareness campaign is launched about mental health in schools, colleges and universities.
The main responsibility falls on the families. Parents need to have strong and frequent communication with their children. Discuss family issues with them. Allow and encourage them to share their experiences, frustrations at their schools and workplaces without being judgmental. While giving them full space to live their lives, the parents need to keep an eye on the attitude and behaviour of their children, and if and when, some abnormality is notices, they should consult mental health experts.
Religious leaders can play a great role in curbing this ugly trend. Suicide is Haram (forbidden) in Islam. The Imams of local mosques should be talking about it during their Friday sermons. People listen to them and when issue of suicides is discussed in religious terms, it undoubtedly will have more impact.
