Morbid reality: A young painter’s canvas and nine causes of suicide

Disturbed by growing suicides amongst Pakhtun women, Mashal Ahmad tells their story.

PESHAWAR:

Behind one suicide there are a multitude of stories, of depression, loneliness or abuse.

Mashal Ahmad says there are nine, and she has taken her canvas to highlight these issues.

“Suicide in girls is increasing in our society. This has compelled young artists to work on the direct and indirect causes of suicide,” says Ahmad, 21, who completed her Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of Peshawar this year.

She is now determined to speak for the women in Pakhtun society. “This society is our product so in some way we are all responsible for all its issues.”

Ahmad has made nine complementary paintings and one final piece in oil and dry pastels. The nine paintings depict the nine most common causes of suicide. Her major work titled ‘Optimism,’ is a 6x4 feet wide oil painting, which is about fighting against a depressed state of mind and finding an escape from suicidal thoughts. “There are several reasons for suicide.  Some are diagnosed, while some are undiagnosed,” she says.

One of the paintings shows the pressing problem of acid attacks and the trauma of a woman whose face is disfigured. Another piece is about sexual assault. A woman is showing hiding her face, reflecting the loss of self confidence and self believe after being sexual abused.



Other paintings include the themes of poverty, unemployment, child abuse and undiagnosed mental illness.

Women’s suicide in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Chitral, has traditionally been high. Due to excessive snowfall, the Lowari Tunnel, the only passage between Chitral and the rest of the province, closes from October to April. Men from the area go to find livelihood in warmer areas, while women are left to fend for themselves. Left alone, in harsh winters and in extreme poverty, many women take their lives.

A research paper on suicide published in the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association in 2007 said that suicides appear to have increased in the country and the act of claiming one’s life has become a major public health problem.

“It appears that most suicides occur in young people (single men and married women) under the age of 30 years,” the paper said.



Interpersonal relationship problems and domestic issues are the most common reasons for suicide, while mental illness is rarely seen a cause. Lack of resources, poorly established primary and mental health services and weak political processes make suicide prevention a formidable challenge in Pakistan, it said.

There are no official statistics on suicide from Pakistan. Suicide deaths are not included in the national annual mortality statistics.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2012.