Article: Suicides Rates Surges Accross Valley

By: Tariq Ahmad Lone

The suicide rate across India is 10.3 per 100,000. In the last three decades, the suicide rate has increased by 43% but the male female ratio has been stable at 1.4 : 1. Majority (71%) of suicide in India are by persons below the age of 44 years which imposes a huge social, emotional and economic burden.

Suicide is an important issue in the Indian context. More than one lakh (one hundred thousand) lives are lost every year to suicide in our country

Same Cases of suicide and unsuccessful attempts at ending one’s own life are increased in Kashmir.The number of suicide cases has gone up in Kashmir valley at an alarming level during the past one decade. A person commits suicide when he or she reaches the extreme condition of hopelessness.The increased incidence of suicide attempts, particularly among the Kashmiri youth, has become a serious concern for the people.The suicider not only ends his life but also gives pain to his family well as relatives.

Suicides in our valley is continuously taking toll of hundreds in every year.This worst form of evil has snatched many lives. It also effect on families as well as relatives and left them in shock forever and they become paralyzed. Poisoning, hanging and self-immolation were the common methods used to commit suicide

Committing suicide is a horrible and tragic end of life.That is why its haram-prohibited and biggest sin in Islam.

Increasing number of suicides is an alarming situation in Kashmir valley and a matter of concern these days. It is a social evil and threat to mankind and humanity itself as a whole Although suicide is a deeply personal and an individual act, suicidal behaviour is determined by a number of individual and social factors. Ever since Esquirol wrote that “All those who committed suicide are insane”.

Research in the area of suicide has become critical in recent years. Suicide and its related issues have become a major concern for global health educators. Suicide is a major public health threat and the World Health This study was conducted with the aim to understand the prevalence of suicide ideation and suicide attempts among Kashmiri youth. Nearly 24,000 men and women, mostly young, have attempted suicide in the last 17 years in Kashmir.The number of suicide deaths is on a rise in Kashmir and this issue really needs to be addressed and as per the data the age of people committing suicide is between 15 to 30.

Reasons:

Parental pressure, tough competition in studies and career, turmoil, modernization, unemployment, business failures, Divorce, Anxiety, dowry, love affairs,Physical and mental illness, disturbed interpersonal relationships, economic difficulties,huge debt burden, unhappy marriages, harassment by in-laws and husbands, dowry disputes, depression, chronic physical illness, alcoholism/drug addiction, cancellation or the inability to get married (because of marriage system in kashmir)and such conflicts relating to the issue of marriage, illegitimate pregnancy, Drug abuse, like anti-depressants, b extra-marital affairs, lack of moral and religious education play a crucial role, particularly in the suicide of Youths in Kashmir and these are the main reasons for suicidal attempts among youths.

Mental disorders occupy a premier position in the matrix of causation of suicide.Suicide is also more prevalent in teenagers and youngsters, especially females.

There might be some young girls also who committed suicide due to failed family issues, depression. There is need for a support system to check the trend of rising suicides.

We need to therefore empower educators, parents and other primary caregivers, who are regularly engaged with young people to be able to provide guidance in times of need,
depressed, fatigued, traumatized and broken.
According to studies 79 per cent of the urban and rural population in the Valley suffers from depression.If we compare Kashmir to western societies the rate is less, but among Muslim societies the suicides in Kashmir are very high.

Prevention:

Suicide is an important, largely preventable public health problem.The problem is however a difficult one a complex array of factors such as poverty, low literacy level, unemployment, family violence, breakdown of the joint family system, unfulfilled romantic ideals, inter-generational conflicts, loss of job or loved one, failure of crops, growing costs of cultivation, huge debt burden, unhappy marriages, harassment by in-laws and husbands, dowry disputes, depression, chronic physical illness, alcoholism/drug addiction, and easy access to means of suicide.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) suicide prevention multi-site intervention study on suicidal behaviour (SUPRE-MISS), an intervention study, has revealed that it is possible to reduce suicide mortality through brief, low-cost intervention in developing countries.When trying to help someone suffering from depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts show your concern, be present, have the courage to ask direct questions, listen without judgement. Do not avoid the conversation of suicide, this can be counterproductive.There is an urgent need to develop a national plan for suicide prevention in Kashmir. The priority areas are reducing the availability of and access to pesticide, reducing alcohol availability and consumption, promoting.

10th September – World Suicide Prevention Day: The World Suicide Prevention Day was formally announced on 10th September, 2003.

Contributors:

Written By:

Mr. Tariq Ahmad Lone
Mobile No: 7780969092
[email protected]

Legal Aspects:

By: Advocate Agha Faisal Ali

Till 2018 Suicide was a punishable offence under the Indian Penal code, however the Supreme Court changed its view.
Now suicide is no longer a crime in India. Atleast when proved the person was going through mental stress of any kind. Which every potential suicider does. If proven that the person was perfectly normal and has attempted suicide, only then he/she might be punished under the frame of law.

Section 309 of IPC is to be read with Mental Healthcare Act of 2017. Esp Section 115