RISING SUICIDE RATES IN PAKISTAN: IS IT ABOUT TIME TO BREAK THE SILENCE?

Authors

  • Abdul Wahab Yousafzai Department of Psychiatry, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad-Pakistan
  • Shakila Bano Department of Sociology University of Peshawar
  • Sheraz Ahmad Khan Public Health Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar-Pakistan

Abstract

Suicide is a public health problem worldwide. More than one million people kill themselves every year. Suicide is a complex issue with biological, psychological and social etiological factors. Depression is the main pathway which leads to suicidal behavior. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the young age group. There is a steady rise in suicides over the last decade, globally. The rise is more alarming in Asian countries, contributing more than 60% to the world statistics. Pakistan is a South Asian country with a weak health system and meagre mental health resources. In Pakistan, various reports point towards shocking suicide rates with exponential rise over the years. There is a dire need to address the issue by adopting a holistic approach, taking into account the biological, psychological and social factors.

Keywords: Suicide; Suicidal behaviour; Depression; Common mental disorders

Author Biographies

Abdul Wahab Yousafzai, Department of Psychiatry, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad-Pakistan

Department of Psychiatry, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad-Pakistan

Shakila Bano, Department of Sociology University of Peshawar

Department of Sociology University of Peshawar

Sheraz Ahmad Khan, Public Health Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar-Pakistan

Public Health Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar-Pakistan

References

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Published

2020-03-03

How to Cite

Yousafzai, A. W., Bano, S., & Khan, S. A. (2020). RISING SUICIDE RATES IN PAKISTAN: IS IT ABOUT TIME TO BREAK THE SILENCE?. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 32(2), 153–154. Retrieved from https://jamc.ayubmed.edu.pk/index.php/jamc/article/view/7601

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 2 (2020): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

EDITORIAL

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