Newmai News Network Aizawl | September 10 At least 50 people including 5 women have committed suicide due to depression and various other reasons in Mizoram between April, 2017 and August, 2018. This was highlighted at World Suicide Prevention Day observed under the theme, Working Together to Prevent Suicide” at Aizawl Press Club here on September 10. Dr. Robert L. Khawlhring, state nodal officer of National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) said at least 35 people have committed suicide since April 2017 till March this year, quoting the report of CID (crime branch). During April to August this year, at least 15 people including 2 women have taken their lives, he informed, adding that 869 people have also suffered depression and attempted to commit suicide during April 2017 to August this year. The majority of suicide cases, he further stated, were ‘hanging’ followed by drug over dose. Dr Lalengmawi, a clinical psychologist at Kulikawn Hospital’s Psychiatry ward, in her PowerPoint presentation, said that at least 56 people attempting to commit suicide were admitted at the hospital between September 2014 and February 2016. Giving a brief report of a study conducted by the hospital, she said that the rate of suicide attempt was highest among youths in the age group of 21-30 which was tagged at 53.6 per cent, with male accounted 60.7 per cent and female at 39.3 per cent. Out of this category, 73.2 per were from urban area and 60.7 per cent of them were drug users, psychologist added. According to her, the main reason for current suicide attempts were “impulsive” which accounted for 76.8 per cent followed by “planned” at 23.2 per cent. Mizoram Journalist Association (MJA) president, Zonunsanga Khiangte graced the event as chief guest. Gracing as the chief guest and speaking on the occasion, Mizoram Journalist Association (MJA) president, Zonunsanga Khiangte expressed regret that the state is the third highest in Northeast in term of suicide cases. While the national average of suicide case per 1 lakh people was 10.6 per cent, in Mizoram it was 11 per cent, he pointed out. Psychiatrist Dr C Lalhrekima in his keynote address called upon collective effort to prevent suicide. According to him, about 8 lakh people commit suicide every year in India, which means one person commits suicide every one second. As per the record maintain by Mizoram police, at least 585 people have committed suicide since 2012. The record said that 91 people committed suicide in 2012, 81 in 2013, 71 in 2014, 113 in 2015, 92 in 2016, 89 in 2017 and 48 people took their lives between January and August this year.
