28 June, 2009 - With three suicides last week of two teenage girls and a man, in separate incidents, suicide has become a cause of concern, say observers.

Police records show that, although the number of cases vary annually, the most was recorded in 2001 (58) and the least in 2006 (34). This year, as of January, there have been 15 cases around the country, and about seven reported in the media since February.

Psychiatrist at the Thimphu referral hospital, Dr D K Nirola, said that they get cases mostly involving young adolescents with self-inflicted injuries. “People tend to commit suicide when they lack the social skills to cope with stress,” he said, adding that family and social support are very important in such cases.

There are various factors that lead to suicides, according to Dr D K Nirola. Males, as compared to females, are thrice more likely to commit suicide. Old age, unemployment and depression are the most common causes.

“It’s also important to note the history of previous suicide attempts,” he said, “significant events in life, like the death of a loved one, could also lead a person to commit suicide.”

By law, suicide or attempt to suicide is not punishable. However, those abetting suicides will be punished under section 150 of Bhutan penal code for misdemeanour.

According to police, those caught attempting suicide are given counselling for about two hours, after which both the person and his/her family are asked to give an undertaking, in writing, that it won’t happen again.

Meanwhile, records with Tsirang police show that there were about 15 suicides in the past two years in the dzongkhag.

In some villages, committing suicide has almost become a norm. “If people are having trouble, committing suicide is the only way to express their displeasure,” said a villager from Dunglagang.

Kuensel found that the increasing rate of suicide in Tsirang is mainly due to depression and mental disorder. Most suicide victims are found to be mentally unsound, and acted different before committing suicide. “My husband acted abnormal for a few days before he committed suicide,” said 33-year-old Mon Maya, whose husband committed suicide this month.

“Most of those taking their own lives suffered significant mental illness at the time of attempting suicide,” said a businessman in Tsirang. Alcohol is another cause for suicides in the area. Some commit suicide because of socio-economic, family and individual crises.

The most common method of committing suicide is by hanging from trees. In Dagana, there were even cases of people setting themselves ablaze.

Villagers consider suicide, especially by hanging, a curse. “Everyone is scared to go near the tree where a person hung himself,” said a villager in Suntaley.

Both Hinduism and Buddhism believe that a person, who commits suicide, will not be reborn as human being. “Their soul will keep wandering and affect living people,” said a Hindu priest, adding that it will also cause sickness in the village.

However, observers point out that suicide should not be seen as a weakness but a treatable illness. “Viewing suicide as taboo, illegal, shameful, or selfish only makes the suicidal feel more alone. Fighting suicide requires compassion, not judgment,” said a corporate employee, Karma.

Meanwhile, the health and education ministries have developed life skill-based school health programmes for school health in-charges and counsellors. The manual includes a chapter on coping with stress. However, it is still to be implemented.