Just into the third month of 2010 and 13 people have already taken their own lives, the latest suicide case being reported on March 1.
In January this year, police recorded five suicide cases which included a 17-year-old Class VIII student. And a month later in February, seven more people committed suicide. An 11-year-old class III student was among one of them.
While the victims generally fell within the age bracket of 17-82 years old, most were between the age group of 20 to 50 years. Among the 13 suicide cases, the maximum occurred in Samdrup Jongkhar and Wangduephodrang followed by Trashigang. Chukha reported a lone case.
Over the past few years, suicide rates in Bhutan have drawn global attention catapulting the BBC news to run a story ‘Concern over Bhutan Suicide rate’ in July last year. Closer home, observers say the high suicide rates in the country are worrying and contradict Bhutan’s pursuit of gross national happiness.
Dr. Damber K. Nirola, a psychiatrist with the Thimphu National Referral Hospital said the news was alarming. In a country like ours where everyone is aspiring for GNH and people dying at this rate is saddening, he said.
“There must be a reason and collective measures need to be taken to investigate into it and take preventive measures,” he said.
Studies worldwide have shown mental illness as a common factor that lead individuals to take the drastic step. The most common mental illness is untreated depression.
Dr. Damber K. Nirola agreed that scientifically depression is the main cause of suicides. But having dealt with survivors of suicidal attempts, he found that other than depression, people with prolonged alcohol and drug abuse history were also vulnerable to suicidal instincts.
He said especially when people are trying to quit these substances they get withdrawal symptom which drives them mad and triggers those with suicidal tendencies to harm themselves. Therefore, he advised alcoholics and addicts should not kick the habbit all of a sudden.
The most common factors that push youngsters to commit suicide, according to the psychiatrist, are peer and parental pressure, competitive scenario, and failure to get a job, among others.
“The impulsive nature of an individual is also a cause for suicide,” said Dr. Damber K. Nirola. “People in a feat of anger commit such regretting act without any reason but simply because they are mad with anger.”
Another interesting cause the Psychiatrist found out from his interaction with the survivors is the belief that people were driven by spirits to commit suicides.
“It is quite interesting but we don’t know whether to believe it or not. It is beyond what the studies can confirm but those who attempted suicide and failed told us later that they were directed by a spirit to commit suicide,” he said.
Echoing what Dr. Damber K. Nirola said, the forensic specialist at the hospital, Dr. Pakila Drukpa said: “There must be a reason behind this and it calls for all fellow citizens and policy makers to give a serious thought about it.”
Both the doctors said that suicides can be prevented and that there has to be a collective effort by all the stakeholders in the country.
In fact the Psychiatrist said that none of the depressed people that he has been treating so far had committed suicide and that this shows counseling and treatment worked. “Our religion also preaches about the demerits of the soul that has committed suicide. I feel that taking a step to inculcate this into the minds of the people apart from other scientific measures would play a significant role in curbing the suicide rate. Basically educating the people on the issue would be the first step,” said Dr. Damber K. Nirola.
He further said that setting up of crisis intervention centers in the geogs is a must. These centers could identify people who are depressed and try to help them solve the problems that concern them.
Dr. Pakila Drukpa said since the causes that drive a person to the point of suicide are numerous, it is difficult for one agency to take up the responsibility.
“Suicidal people will show warning signs that are caused by depression. Who ever suffers this must visit the nearest health center and talk to the people there. Even family and friends can play a vital role. Health centers and NGOs in the country can take the first steps as stakeholders, but even the government can play a key role and set up centers in the rural areas that could help the people suffering from depression,” he said.
By Lam Chencho Dorji in THIMPHU
