More men committed suicide in Gorkha than women in past three years

Published On: August 3, 2019 07:35 AM NPT By: Narahari Sapkota

GORKHA, Aug 3: Recent data on suicide unveiled by Gorkha police shows that more men committed suicide than women in the district in the past three years.

According to the data, a total of 168 suicides occurred between 2016 and 2019 (mid-July) in the district - 97 by males and 71 by females. The data shows males of the age group of 18-40 committed suicide. Of the 68 people who committed suicide last year, 39 were below 40 years of age. Likewise, of the people committing suicide over the past three years, 24 were under 18 and 49 were above 40. In fiscal year 2018/19, 39 men of the age group 18-40 years committed suicide.

The district police started an investigation into the matter after the suicide rate started increasing. According to the investigation conducted by the District Police Office, poverty and unemployment are the major factors contributing to the rising number of suicides in the district.

“Many cases of suicide took place due to mental instability instigated by poverty and unemployment,” said Superintendent of Police (SP) Om Prasad Adhikari.

Last year, 27 people committed suicide because of poverty and unemployment while 16 people killed themselves for the same reasons over the previous two years.

SP Adhikari blamed mental instability, unaccomplished ambitions, failed love relationship, and illiteracy for the rising suicide rate. Psychology lecturer at Gorkha Campus, Saroj Aryal stressed the importance of strengthening self esteem to prevent people from committing suicide.

“In order to lower the suicide rate, it is crucial to study the causing factors and sensitize the people on the causes and impacts of suicide and its solution,” said Aryal.

The district police is currently running sensitization campaigns with an aim to reduce the suicide rate in the district. “It is crucial to run door-to-door campaigns in localities and communities to make it work effectively,” said Adhikari. “Suicide rates can be reduced if the people with low self-esteem are provided family support, right guidance and a healthy environment to express their emotions and feelings,” added Adhikari.