KATHMANDU, Aug 6: Suicide rates have gone up with the increase in the number of people suffering from mental health issues in the country in recent years, data provided by the Nepal Police Headquarters suggests.
On average three people commit suicide by consuming poison every day, according to the Police Headquarters. As many as 1320 persons committed suicide by consuming poison in the Fiscal Year 2018/19 alone, according to the data maintained by the Police Headquarters.
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According to the police, 1307 persons in FY 2013/14, 1090 in FY 2014/15, 1186 in FY 2015/16, 1215 in FY 2016/17 and 1363 in FY 2017/18 committed suicide due to various reasons. Altogether 4481 people committed suicide over the past six years, according to the police data.
The spokesperson of the Nepal Police Bishwaraj Pokharel told Republica Online that acute poverty, unemployment, changing lifestyle and mental health issues are major reasons for the people to commit suicide. People from all age groups commit suicide in Nepal, he said.
"However, those who commit suicide by consuming poison are mostly youngsters," he said. Dr Umanga Jung Parakram Shah, director at the Nepal Academy of Psychology told Republica Online that suicide rates are high among the youngsters due to various reasons. "It is because; youths pass through physical, emotional and social changes during this particular period of their life," he said.
Mental disorder, unfulfilled desires, and failed love affairs are also reasons for the youngsters to commit suicide, he said.
However, Nepal is not an exception. The suicide rate is increasing day by day in many countries around the world. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youngsters.
