Three cases of suicide took place in a week’s time
KARACHI: Three cases of suicide took place in a week’s time. One that of a coveted celebrity, Anthony Bourdain, second that of a successful and wealthy fashion designer, Kate Spade, and third that of a 26-year-old Frenchman who took his life in the holiest places of the world — the Holy Kaba in Makkah.
All three cases had one thing in common, a history of depression that led to the three taking their own lives, proving to the world that depression is real and no matter how famous you are, how rich you are you can be depressed.
If there is one thing that the West and the East have in common it is their ignorance of the severity of mental illness. And this is exactly what has been taking numerous lives on a yearly basis. The lack of understanding of why someone could contemplate about taking one’s own life irrespective of them having — what many would perceive — a fulfilling life, alienates people.
While having psychiatric and therapeutic help available is important, it is also increasingly significant to senstise people about mental health issues. Schools should start teaching young and classes for parents and guardians should also be set up. Only a strong emotional support coming from either friends or family can help an individual with suicidal thoughts. This strong system of support should be advocated for, because the last one would want to see is a loved one take his or her own life.
Kiran Anjumand
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2018.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
