Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, June 29: Kashmir has witnessed an increase in suicide attempts by people. In the recent past, several people including some girls attempted suicide.
The latest incident came to the fore on Sunday when a 23-year-old girl from New Colony Sopore attempted suicide.
A police official told the news agency (KINS) that she attempted to commit suicide by injuring herself with a knife.
“She has stabbed herself with a sharp knife. She was treated at Hospital in Sopore and later discharged. A case has been registered and investigation set in motion,” the official said.
The official said it is the responsibility of everyone to prevent suicide attempts. “Anxiety has increased for the last few months. We should not allow depression to take over. Some NGOs are also making an effort by counseling people how to overcome anxiety,” the official added.
According to police officials, they are trying to ascertain the reason behind why she attempted suicide. “We are making all efforts to prevent people from attempting suicide,” he said.
He however said responsibility lies on each and every member of society to help each other to overcome depression.
Recently, another girl threatened to commit suicide in Sopore. While taking to micro-blogging site twitter she said that she will commit suicide by jumping into river Jehlum in protest against alleged harassment by the army and the police.
Taking cognizance of the social media post, senior officers of Sopore Police rushed to the house of the girl along with some respectable citizens of the area.
“The family concealed the whereabouts of the girl but acting professionally and putting in hard efforts, our team traced the girl who was hiding in the backyard of the house,” the police official said.
Later, a case was registered by the police.
Experts believe that first aid for mental health should also become a part of the curriculum in schools and colleges.
“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,” a doctor at Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital, said.
“Parental pressure, tough competition in studies and career, lack of moral and religious education are the main reasons for these suicidal attempts among youth,” the doctor added.
As per news agency in the last 20 days, 8 persons including a soldier ended their lives by taking an extreme step in Kashmir Division.
As per data available with a news agency, June 11: A 35-year-old man from South Kashmir’s Ananthnag village ended his life by hanged self in his home.
June 18 : A CRPF man committed suicide by shooting self in Awantipora in south Kashmir.
June 21 : An elderly man from Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara committed suicide by hanged self.
June 23 : A 26-year-old youth ended his life by hanged self in Mandipora area of south Kashmir’s Ananthnag district.
June 23: Two cousins committed suicide by consuming poison in Handwara.
June 24: A 22-year-old youth hangs self to death in the Tangmerg area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
June 25: A Govt. teacher in Handwara tried to end his life by consuming some poisonous substances, however, he was saved by the timely efforts of locals and police.
June 25: A 21-year-old youth ends life by committed suicide in Sopore town. (KINS)
