KARACHI: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) handle 50 to 70 cases of attempted suicide daily, with depression being the primary trigger, accompanied by a high rate of self-harm emergencies.
These alarming figures were shared by Senator Karim Khawaja, Chairman of the Sindh Mental Health Authority, at a seminar titled ‘KAHANI SUNO (Listen to the Story)’ under the theme of ‘Creating Hope through Action’, recently hosted at the Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) in connection with World Suicide Prevention Day.
The event was organised by the DNP and led by the distinguished Professor Iqbal Afridi, with moderation by Dr Abdul Qadir. Dr Rozina commenced the proceedings with recitations from the Holy Quran.
During the seminar, JSMU Vice Chancellor Prof Amjad Siraj Memon emphasised the gravity of suicide as a major public health concern, stressing the need for making collective efforts to prevent suicides.
He said the issue could be effectively combated by promoting mental health education, informing the people about recognising suicide warning signs and telling them how to seek help. Fostering a culture of understanding and compassion is equally crucial so that individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health challenges, he added.
Prof Iqbal Afridi conveyed to the audience that suicide is a global issue, with one person taking their own life every 40 seconds. He presented statistics indicating that the highest suicide rates are observed in atheist communities, followed by Buddhist, Christian, and Hindu communities, whereas the lowest rates are found among Muslim communities.
Prof Afridi discussed various strategies for suicide prevention, including limiting access to suicide methods, responsible media reporting, strengthening parent-child bonds, religious affiliations, and the promotion of mental health.
He also underscored the significance of interpersonal relationships and encouraged people to watch out for their loved ones and lend a compassionate ear to those facing difficulties.
Senator Karim Khawaja, shared case studies spanning from 2016 to 2020, revealing that Sajawal district had the highest suicide rate, while Kashmore district had the lowest. Expressing concern over high rate of suicide bids in Karachi, he said Sindh Mental Health Authority is planning to provide psychological care training to doctors.
Dr Chooni Lal said nobody is immune to mental health issues and urged people to prioritise their mental well-being and seek help if necessary. He also remarked that individuals who resort to suicide cause lifelong trauma for their parents.
Associate Professor Dr Jawed Akbar Dars expressed concern that suicide is evolving into a public health crisis and called upon the government to take action, including the allocation of more mental health resources and training for healthcare professionals.
Dr Syed Tafazzul Hyder Zaidi stressed the importance of maintaining strong connections between parents and students, encouraging parents to actively listen to their children and provide emotional support to them.
Dr Irfan Ali advocated for self-care, honesty, and faith in religion as protective factors against negative thoughts and suicide.
Commander Shahab cautioned against sensationalising suicide stories in the media and urged individuals to be vigilant about recognising warning signs of suicide in their loved ones and to seek help when needed.
The seminar concluded with a panel discussion in which the speakers highlighted the significance of early intervention and prevention in suicide prevention efforts. They encouraged those facing difficulties to seek help and reminded them that they are not alone in their struggles.
