KARACHI, March 28: One million people committed suicide across the world and ninety per cent of them have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder resulting from a combination of painful suffering, desperate hopelessness and underlying psychiatric illness. In the city of 15 million people, almost 120 to 140 citizens commit suicide every year according to news reports. Alienation and insecurity are attributed as major factors leading to suicide tendencies.

This was stated by the chairman of Karachi University Psychology Department, Haider Abbas Rizvi, at a lecture on ‘Suicide: Myths and Realities’ on Wednesday.

He said the psychological analysis had convincingly proved the ‘appeal character’ or ‘desperate call for help’ behaviour preceding the attempt. The world studies had rated depression as the fourth most common disease whereas suicide was among the top three causes of death. It is apprehended that suicide would become the second most common cause of death by the year 2020.

He said between 20 and 50 per cent of people who kill themselves had previously attempted suicide. Those who have made serious suicide attempts are at a much higher risk for actually taking their lives. Suicide does not happen due to simple depression, rather it is due to pessimism/hopelessness”. Some psychologists attribute it to the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Some psychologists believe that suicide is often the result of an unachieved goal or dysfunctional relationship.

Mr Rizvi said joint family system had shattered in Pakistan; therefore an increasing rate of divorce, suicide and mental health problems more than the past years could be noticed. Newspapers and electronic media are highlighting the need of reviving traditional social support system so that the ratio of mental health problems could not go beyond control.

“One can survive suicidal feelings if he/she does either of two things: (1) find a way to reduce your pain, or (2) find a way to increase your coping resources. Both are possible. Many more people need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of suicidal behaviour and of where help, if needed, can be obtained – whether from family, friends, doctors, social workers, religious leaders, employers or teachers and other school staff,” he said.

He said doctors and other health care providers in particular should be educated and trained to recognize, refer and treat those with psychiatric disorders, especially affective disorders. Suicide prevention efforts will be less effective if they are not set within the framework of large-scale plans developed by multidisciplinary teams, comprising government officials, health care planners and workers, and researchers and practitioners from a variety of disciplines and sectors. Major investments in planning, resources and collaboration between these groups will go a long way towards its reduction, he added.

Dean of Arts Faculty Professor (Dr) Shamsuddin emphasised on the role of tolerance that was necessary for mental peace.