I JUST learnt about the death of a 24-year-old university student who took a plunge off the fourth floor while people around her looked on as if waiting for some kind of show to unveil.

According to her friend who witnessed the tragedy, there were people passing sickening comments as well as filming the scene in total disregard of the tragedy.

When I read about the tragedy, I could only feel disgust and shame about the mentality of some of our people. Could this incident have been prevented, I am not sure. But how were videos helping the case in any way? Now that the girl is no more, will the videos on the phones of these people serve as some treasure? I am appalled that this was the attitude shown by individuals who apparently come from educated backgrounds. Have we become so immune to human suffering?

I request such people to stop treating everything as potential material for your social media stories. Gaining publicity off someone else’s misery and agony is the lowest of acts that you can do. Please educate yourselves about mental health and be a little humane. Community support and care can go a long way in enhancing the mental health of individuals suffering from depression and other mental illnesses.

Sidra Ayub

Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2018