Increasing rate of suicides in Pakistan

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Increasing rate of suicides in Pakistan

(29 posts)

Anonymous

Almost every day we read the incidents of suicide in our news papers. Many other cases of suicide in far flung areas of the country are not reported. There is no doubt that the rate of committing suicide in Pakistan is increasing. Main cause of such suicide is ‘poverty’ and ‘family disputes’.

We as Pakistanis should pay attention to this issue and comment if we could be of any help to reduce the rate of suicides in Pakistan, at least, by awareness raising campaigns.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2009/09/090910_suicide_up_pak_rh.shtml

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 19:38 #
semirza
Moderator

Poverty and family disputes are two issues. I think the poverty issue is more dominant as a cause of such tragic events.

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 19:40 #
mulla1
blocked

zard-ari should be held responsible for even the death of a dog!

Mulla!

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 20:10 #
KHAN_Sahib
Member

Quote "I think the poverty issue is more dominant as a cause of such tragic events"

Agreed!

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 20:13 #
netengr
blocked

Japan is in G8 and well developed and gives load to the poor country , but there are 35000 Japanese commit suicide every year .

Eemaan ki kamzori is root cause of suicides

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 20:17 #
KHAN_Sahib
Member

The crisis of despair gripping young working Japanese has triggered plenty of official and media hand-wringing, though little in the way of change in corporate Japan. Wages remain low, and hierarchies rigid.

“We live in an uncomfortable and restrictive society where trivial matters are important,” said Professor Kiyohiko Ikeda, a veteran social commentator at Waseda University. “The young feel a sense of deadlock; society does not accept minor mistakes.”

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 20:27 #
Anonymous

@KHAN_Sahib

If the main reason for the suicides is Poverty, then is there any hope for us that poverty in Pakistan shall be reduced, especially keeping in view the high rate of population growth?

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 21:06 #
semirza
Moderator

Poverty in itself is a Multifaceted issue. Poverty striken are essentially 'poor'. The needy, and why they are in such situations - those situations need to be improved. A massive but possible task.

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 21:17 #
KHAN_Sahib
Member

I believe that poverty can be reduced if we have justice in Pakistan. You give me justice and I will give you everything u want from a modern Muslim country/society.

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 21:18 #
Anonymous

@KHAN_Sahib

There seems to be a ray of hope for justice in Pakistan. What do you think about its expansion and sustainability in the overall judicial system?

Don't you see the high growth rate in population as a threat even if judicial system improves gradually?

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 21:30 #
netengr
blocked

This is the list of suicide rate per country mostly rich countries are on the top very few countries where muslims live ...

# 1 Lithuania: 81.9 per 100,000 people
# 2 Russia: 74.1 per 100,000 people
# 3 Latvia: 71.4 per 100,000 people
# 4 Estonia: 64.6 per 100,000 people
# 5 Belarus: 55.7 per 100,000 people
# 6 Hungary: 55.5 per 100,000 people
# 7 Sri Lanka: 46.9 per 100,000 people
# 8 Slovenia: 45.1 per 100,000 people
# 9 Finland: 43.4 per 100,000 people
# 10 Kazakhstan: 39.7 per 100,000 people
# 11 Ukraine: 38.2 per 100,000 people
# 12 Belgium: 37.3 per 100,000 people
# 13 Croatia: 34.6 per 100,000 people
# 14 Austria: 34.2 per 100,000 people
# 15 Luxembourg: 30.8 per 100,000 people
# 16 France: 30.4 per 100,000 people
= 17 Switzerland: 29.5 per 100,000 people
= 17 Moldova: 29.5 per 100,000 people
# 19 Czech Republic: 28.1 per 100,000 Pe
# 20 Bulgaria: 25.3 per 100,000 people
# 21 Japan: 25 per 100,000 people
# 22 Poland: 24.7 per 100,000 people
# 23 Denmark: 24.1 per 100,000 people
# 24 Kyrgyzstan: 22.6 per 100,000 people
# 25 Germany: 21.8 per 100,000 people
= 26 Australia: 21.5 per 100,000 people
= 26 Canada: 21.5 per 100,000 people
# 28 New Zealand: 20.5 per 100,000 people
# 29 Sweden: 20 per 100,000 people
= 30 United States: 19.8 per 100,000 people
= 30 Mauritius: 19.8 per 100,000 people
# 32 Trinidad and Tobago: 19 per 100,000 people
# 33 Romania: 18.5 per 100,000 people
# 34 Puerto Rico: 18.4 per 100,000 people
# 35 Suriname: 18.2 per 100,000 people
# 36 Norway: 17.7 per 100,000 people
# 37 Ireland: 17.4 per 100,000 people
# 38 Uruguay: 16.6 per 100,000 people
# 39 Netherlands: 16.2 per 100,000 people
# 40 Iceland: 15.8 per 100,000 people
# 41 Singapore: 14 per 100,000 people
# 42 Hong Kong: 13.4 per 100,000 people
# 43 El Salvador: 13 per 100,000 people
# 44 Korea, South: 12.8 per 100,000 people
# 45 Portugal: 12.3 per 100,000 people
= 46 Saint Lucia: 11 per 100,000 people
= 46 Israel: 11 per 100,000 people
= 46 Spain: 11 per 100,000 people
= 46 United Kingdom: 11 per 100,000 people
# 50 Zimbabwe: 10.5 per 100,000 people
# 51 Argentina: 9.7 per 100,000 people
# 52 Italy: 9.6 per 100,000 people
# 53 Uzbekistan: 9.3 per 100,000 people
# 54 Barbados: 8.9 per 100,000 people
# 55 Chile: 8.4 per 100,000 people
# 56 Turkmenistan: 8.1 per 100,000 people
# 57 Venezuela: 7.8 per 100,000 people
# 58 Costa Rica: 7.1 per 100,000 people
# 59 Malta: 6.6 per 100,000 people
# 60 Greece: 5.9 per 100,000 people
# 61 Ecuador: 5.7 per 100,000 people
= 62 Georgia: 5.4 per 100,000 people
= 62 Tajikistan: 5.4 per 100,000 people
# 64 Panama: 5 per 100,000 people
= 65 Colombia: 4.9 per 100,000 people
= 65 Bahrain: 4.9 per 100,000 people
# 67 Brazil: 4.6 per 100,000 people
# 68 Mexico: 4.5 per 100,000 people
# 69 Nicaragua: 4.3 per 100,000 people
# 70 Armenia: 3.9 per 100,000 people
# 71 Turkey: 3.8 per 100,000 people
# 72 Albania: 2.9 per 100,000 people
# 73 Bahamas, The: 2.4 per 100,000 people
# 74 Kuwait: 2.1 per 100,000 people
# 75 Belize: 1.1 per 100,000 people
# 76 Azerbaijan: 0.8 per 100,000 people
# 77 Peru: 0.7 per 100,000 people
# 78 Jamaica: 0.5 per 100,000 people
# 79 Egypt: 0.1 per 100,000 people
# 80 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 0 per 100,000 people

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_sui_rat_mal-health-suicide-rate-males

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 21:59 #
zjshami
Member

@ netengr,
Good research work.
Very informative.

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 22:03 #
netengr
blocked

These statistics proves that this is nothing to do with poverty

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 22:11 #
Aqlib
Blocked

neyengr, the top countries in the list are not rich. They are developing nations mostly. Also from poor countries, all data does is not reported.

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 22:50 #
zia m
Member

Mental disorders are major cause of suicide.Mental illness resulting in depression increase suicidal tendency.
Alcohol and drug abuse is another major cause of suicide in western countries.
Poverty leads to depression and may be a secondary cause.

Posted 2 years ago on 10 Sep 2009 23:37 #
Anonymous

@netengr

Even if the suicide rate is higher in rich countries (as you pointed out), that does not mean that we should not be worried about the increasing rate of suicides in Pakistan. I don’t know how we can contribute (if possible) to bring some change by addressing the issue of ‘mental disorders’ (as mentioned by zia_m) in our fellow citizens. Or should we remain silent spectators?

Posted 2 years ago on 11 Sep 2009 0:28 #
Beenai
Moderator

@netengr,
in my opinion....suicides always have only one reason:
which is "Disappointment to the level of Frustration "

and it differs from country to country ,person to person and culture to culture that what frustrate u to the point,u think of nothing ,but to kill yourself with your own will.

in poor countries like we are ...
frustration has many causes and the bigger one is definitely lack of resources means money.

when one has 11 kids to be feed ...and living in a one room kholi ,and has lost his daily wage based work,and have to take after his wife and kids ,then what he would do ?
he would feel frustrated .
he will go for stealing money or food
or would go for a suicide........

in western world...where life is very peaceful and luxurious for a common man too .
where frustration has its different manifestations and reasons ...which are 90 degree different from the third world man.
loads of money comes with a loads of problems .

so every country or society has its own reasons for ppl to go for a frustration level ,which leads them to a suicide attempt.

Posted 2 years ago on 11 Sep 2009 4:12 #
mylove-Pakistan
Member

Two main reasons of suicide are stated here the posts earler.

1. Poverty,
2. Family disputes.

I think the cause of 90 % of family disputes is poverty. Therefore, poverty is the only (almost) reason. Other smaller reasons include, lack of education and Iman.

One thing that is stated is that poverty is not the cause of suicide, as the statistics shows that the rate of suicide is higher in rich countries. I think it should not be made a general rule as our culture, society +++ are completely different. In Pakistan one person earns and 5-10 people consumes, over there everyone (almost) has to earn his own living expenditure.

The causes of poverty in PK are crystal clear, so no need to discuss.

Posted 2 years ago on 11 Sep 2009 4:36 #
Fahim23
Member

I don't think poverty is the main factor of Suicide. If it was the case then Europe or other developed countries mustn't have suicide or psychological issues as main problem. In west business of being a shrink is booming industry. I think our social attitudes which have day by day became insensitive, careless, intolerant and insane are forcing some minds to take extreme steps.

Common causes for suicide:

1. When a woman is raped/forced into prostitution - Social
2. When a boy or girl can't find their love - Social
3. When a man can't support his family - Financial
4. Suicide bombings - Revenge and Religious Extremism which makes it Social as well.

In pakistan third kind (which is due to financial reasons) is mostly found in urban areas as in rural areas still ppl are kind enough to share food and look after each other. People in urban areas are the worst when it comes to taking care of neighbours, friends and poor relative.

I'd agree here with Beena that "Disappointment to the level of Frustration" causes ppl to take thr life. But IMO that frustration arises when one feels left out by the society (not just financially but for many different reasons). This is also the case in western society where despite financial security people often find them lonely. We Alhamdulilah have a family structure which provides us tremendous support but that has been severely damaged in last 2 decades especially in urban centers of Pakistan and this is where we are seeing rampant increase in suicides. While anyone who is in touch with rural life would agree with me that suicide is still very rare there.

Our values and therefore attitudes have almost deteriorated, wealth or power earns you respect, and your social status is directly proportional to the money you have regardless of how you earned it! Parents try thr level best to teach thr kids how to be cunning, diplomatic and get favours. Speaking and standing by truth is considered stupid or foolish and we constantly give this message that if you are poor you better die! Thats why i guess ppl decide to end thr life.

Posted 2 years ago on 11 Sep 2009 4:57 #
kingsalah
Blocked

Brother why r u worry every person in this world is going to his death. Some are dying with diseases and some are with suicidal. When a time of one person comes to end then he will not given a chance so talking about these thing is meaning less for u have time to prepare for the next world

Posted 2 years ago on 11 Sep 2009 6:22 #
shahzad1924
member

^^ very true!

Posted 2 years ago on 11 Sep 2009 12:23 #
Anonymous

Is there any way that a common man can contribute to reduction in suicide rate?

Posted 2 years ago on 12 Sep 2009 18:38 #
semirza
Moderator

Many ways are possible. I can give you an example. Here we have two phone lines financed by an NGO and monitored by volunteers. Distressed people call in and tell their part of the story. Just listening to people and providing them an opportunity to vent it out or just letting them know that there are people who are willing to help them minimizes this tendency greatly.

Posted 2 years ago on 12 Sep 2009 19:05 #
Anonymous

Respected Mirza Sahib

Can you please tell me in more detail as to how it works. I would be happy if I could contribute in this regard.

Posted 2 years ago on 12 Sep 2009 19:14 #
semirza
Moderator

Generally the callers are from the expat community. Mostly their cases are about salary not being paid, annual visit has been denied for quite some time etc. Volunteers than approach concerned parties directly and report it to the authorities, press and related embassies as well. It is a group of volunteers that consists of people from a mix of nationalities.

Posted 2 years ago on 12 Sep 2009 19:20 #
semirza
Moderator

The key is 'hope'! In almost all of the cases one thing is common and that is they have lost all hope as per their situations. Just provide them a shoulder and a compasionate listening ear and you will come to know. The rest is revive hope in them again. Once it is done (and it is not easy) suicidal tendency is no more.

Posted 2 years ago on 12 Sep 2009 19:29 #
Anonymous

Respected Mirza Sahib

Thanks for the information.

Posted 2 years ago on 12 Sep 2009 19:53 #
latentry
Member

In Pakistan Poverty is the major reason behind suicides. Unfortunately we are more focused on spreading Islam in Pakistan than removing poverty

Posted 2 years ago on 13 Sep 2009 15:26 #
semirza
Moderator

Poverty is common to both, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Till date Muslims realize but have failed to implement ‘zakat’, which could have played a major role in eradication of this social imbalance totally. Skeptics may not agree but during the times of Omar (RA) a time came when ‘needy’ for zakat were nowhere to be found. Such was the will of followers of the new found faith Islam that ‘Bait –ul-Mal’ was full rather in excess of zakat.

On the other hand Christianity has banked on ‘poverty’ and used it to their advantage to win over poor and needy into their fold through ‘Missionary Convents’ and various charities all under the banner of Christianity. They are most active in Africa and India while on the other hand ‘Tablighi Jama’at’ generally depends on lip service where other missionaries are actively involved and are comparatively more visible.

Posted 2 years ago on 13 Sep 2009 18:36 #