Education 'key' to lowering Pakistan suicide rate
16/07/2010
Ensuring that people have access to support and education about mental health issues are both vital if the rate of suicides in Pakistan is to be lowered.
According to an article on local news source the Daily Times, this combined with the positive involvement of the country's media is the best way of tackling the rate of suicides in the nation.
Speaking at a recent mental health seminar, professor of psychiatry at Jinnah Hospital Dr Saad said that the highest suicide rate in Pakistan is among predominantly middle-class people below the age of 35.
"When someone commits suicide, it is not just a failure of the government, but reflects the apathy of an entire society," he said.
Poverty and related depression can also be a factor in suicide rates, as can be seen in Ilam, south Nepal, where the suicide rate is so high that local DSP Tei Jung Thapa said it has almost become a normal part of life.
Written by John Curtis.
