Rising Suicides in Kashmir
By:Faisal Gani
The budding writer is a student.
The suicide rate in Kashmir is increasing with each passing day. In the past week, four cases of suicide have been reported across the Kashmir valley. A study done by one of the government agencies claimed that around 127 people died by suicide in the Kashmir valley in last 16 or 18 months. The data by the State Disaster Response Force reveals that 365 attempts of suicide were recorded. Out of them , 238 survived after taking extreme steps.
The media report on which the commission took suo-moto cognizance mentioned that 20,000 people have attempted suicide due to the socio-political turmoil in the Valley. About 3,000 of them have died and most of them were in the 16- 25 age group.
Other report mentions that 575 cases of suicide attempts have been admitted in the SMHS Hospital alone . In the entire State, at least one suicide is recorded every alternate day and there is hardly a hamlet or mohalla that has been untouched by more than one incident of suicide attempts. Quoting a psychiatrist, the report said that the incessant violence in the valley has devastated the psyche of the Kashmiris and stress-related diseases have grown manifold across the social spectrum, driving people mostly youngsters increasingly to suicide.
Most suicidal individuals give warning signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize these warning signs and know how to respond if you spot them. If a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in suicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives, showing that you care, and getting a doctor or psychologist involved.
Major warning signs for suicide include talking about killing or harming oneself, talking or writing a lot about death or dying, and seeking out things that could be used in a suicide attempt such as weapons and drugs . These signals are even more dangerous if the person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder , suffers from alcohol dependence and previously attempted suicide or has a family history of suicide. All must come forward in preventing suicides. It is a challenge and it needs to be dealt with proper guidance. Doctors feel that awareness among youngsters need to be increased across the Kashmir valley. Doctors also say that there is a suicide contagion that needs to be prevented.
