Observing World Suicide Prevention Day

Suicide is a major public health problem. It is estimated that currently more than 700,000 suicides are committed every year worldwide. And we know that each suicide affects many more people. In Bangladesh, more than 12,000 people commit suicide every year, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). What is further worrying is that as many as 15 to 20 times more people attempt to commit suicide but they fail. Bangladesh ranks 10th in the world in terms of suicide attempt rate. To raise awareness against committing suicide, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed everywhere around the world on September 10. Many countries have been observing this day with an array of programmes since 2003. This year's theme, as chosen by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, is 'Creating Hope through Action'. We should observe this day more elaborately in Bangladesh so that to prevent suicide public's awareness level against this social scourge can be increased.

The reasons for suicide are quite predictable. Depression, anxiety, failure in exam, jilted lover, etc. are the common reasons for suicide in Bangladesh. We believe a large percentage of suicides are preventable if people get timely and adequate treatment for mental health disorders. We cannot bring back those who have already committed suicide. But what we can do is that we can help those who have suicidal tendencies.

Before committing suicide, most people leave some indications. We have to pay more attention to those signs and be sympathetic to them, listen to their problems and try to solve those. When there is a lot of suffering, insults, different types of bullying, pain, etc. at a time when the problems are increasing continuously, then the person thinks that suicide is the best way to get rid of them. Counselling can be a way to resolve the problem of attempted suicides. There are several organisations in our country that provide various types of mental health services. Most of them have free hotline numbers where experienced people give advice to those who are suffering from depression and mental health issues. These organisations should be made more popular so that people across the country can get their service.

Muhammad Sultan Mahmud

Student of Department of Psychology,

Dhaka College, Dhaka,

sultanmahmudofficial27@gmail.com