THIS refers to the recent suicide by a young, jobless man in Karachi. The video of the man lying in a pool of blood was depressing for me and many others on social media. This incident made us realise how depression and recession can snatch precious lives.

However, this should also be a major concern for our society where mental health is not taken seriously, although there are numerous problems around us that leave many of us depressed. Lack of awareness and empathy leave the depressed with so few choices that suicide becomes an act of choice.

In these testing times when the inflation is at its highest compared to the last several decades, people are worried about getting a job, education, health services, and, most importantly, they are worried about feeding the family with two square meals a day to survive.

The government should focus on resolving the issues of the masses, like hyperinflation, unemployment, poverty, etc., rather than cursing the previous governments for all the ills. This constant blaming is, in fact, adding to the depression.

Mahnoor Baloch
Awaran

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2021