World Health Organization latest numbers suggest that the rate of suicide among every 100,000 people in Pakistan stands at 2.5 percent. In Saudi Arabia it is 3.9 percent, 16 percent in India and 10.4 percent in Australia. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, at least 2,131 people committed suicide in the country last year, while 1,153 attempted to kill themselves.
All these statistics suggest an alarming situation and that suicide and those attempting it need immediate help and rehabilitation; but it is still considered a social stigma.
The minimum age of people attempting suicide in Australia has dropped down from 15 years to 12 years. Experts say emotional and physical abuse are the major causes of psychological stress that lead to suicide attempt among children in this age group. This also includes bullying at schools.
Amna Pervaiz, a Sydney-based psychotherapist, says psychological issues are not taken seriously and those undergoing these problems are left to suffer in silence, on their own.
“At least 6,500 people try to kill themselves in Australia every year. This is serious, yet people lack awareness about it.”
She says the lack of awareness and social stigma attached to mental illness and suicide are the main reasons help cannot be given to those who need it.
The minimum age of people attempting suicide in Australia has dropped down from 15 years to 12 years. Experts say emotional and physical abuse are the major causes of psychological stress that lead to suicide attempt among children in this age group. This also includes bullying at schools.
Amna says survivors are likely to go through post-traumatic stress disorder and in such cases psychotherapy helps tremendously. She says the most important step in helping the survivors overcome hopelessness is to make them feel that someone is there for them.
“Those who want to share the reasons of their stress and depression are told that they overthink or that it is not a big deal. This disheartens them and may trigger depression.”
“They think prayers are a solution to everything. They will start saying things like ‘offer prayers five times a day’ and you’ll be fine. That is not OK!"
Amna says her research shows that face-to-face and cyber-bullying is increasing in young adults, leaving them vulnerable and emotionally and psychologically disturbed; and in some cases physically hurt too. She suggests parents and guardians to keep a watchful eye on their young ones, especially if they are beginning to lose interest in their daily routine, staying quieter than usual, are eating less or sleeping less or more than they usually do.
To a question about suicide and such attempts among the Pakistani community in Australia, she says they hardly ever report depression and anxiety. Anything related to mental illness is blanketed and labeled as a non-issue, she says.
“They think prayers are a solution to everything. They will start saying things like ‘offer prayers five times a day’ and you’ll be fine. That is not OK!"
While there is nothing wrong in being spiritual, Amna says, mental health problems must be treated as seriously as physical health problems and illnesses, which also need professional attention and help. Amna regrets that mental illness has always been ignored by the Pakistani community in Australia and back in Pakistan and this will not change unless they stop looking at it as a social stigma.
