Suicide cases rising in country: Police

Kathmandu, September 10

At least 15 people commit suicide daily in the country and number of suicide cases increased in the fiscal 2018-19, according to Nepal Police. As many as 5,785 people committed suicide in the fiscal.

As many as 5,346 people committed suicide in 2017-2018 but only 5,317 suicide cases were registrations in the year. There is always a difference between the number of deaths and registered death cases. Suicides in groups were counted as a single case, according to police.

Police records also reveal that children who committed suicide accounted for eight per cent of total suicides in the last fiscal year.

“Suicide is mostly associated with mental illness. Depression, bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia are some of the causes of suicide,”said Phanindra Prasad Baral, Chief of Non-communicable and Mental Health Section, Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

“Growing frustration due to political instability, unemployment, failure in exams, financial problems, extramarital affairs and complex modern lifestyle are also pushing youths to commit suicide.

There are multiple factors for one to commit suicide. However, it is preventable if proper counseling, treatment and care are given,” said Ritesh Thapa, director and consultant psychiatrist at Rhythm Neuropsychiatry Hospital and Research Centre, Ekantakuna. A rally was organised in the Capital to mark World Suicide Prevention day today.