LAHORE:
For the last two weeks, social media has been abuzz with discussion on suicide cases across the province.
The reporting of suicide cases in the provincial capital had also increased since the dawn of the current year. It seems like the numbers are increasing as the days go by.
On February 7, a 55-year-old man reportedly committed suicide in Gulshan-e-Ravi area of Lahore. The victim reportedly had placed his own coffin and other material in his vehicle before poisoning himself to death.
On February 5, at least three persons including two children reportedly committed suicide in the provincial capital.
On January 30, a 20-year-old woman reportedly committed suicide in Liaquatabad. She was frustrated due to disputes at home.
A day earlier, a 32-year-old man reportedly committed suicide in Sundar. The victim was frustrated due to domestic disputes and his financial conditions.
On January 23, a 25-year-old man reportedly committed suicide after self-immolation in Sundar area.
Since suicide is often considered as taboo in society, the cases mostly were put under the rug by the families to avoid dealing with the stigma as well as the legal implications.
The deaths of three doctors of a family in Multan also included apparent suicide apart from a murder case during the week.
In the first incident that transpired on January 22, a renowned psychiatrist in Multan Dr. Azhar Hussain committed suicide after shooting his only daughter, Dr. Alizah.
The victim herself was a psychiatrist and had been practicing at her father’s clinic for many years.
Hardly a week had passed when Dr. Azhar’s younger brother, Dr. Mohib Saleem, reportedly committed suicide by burning himself to death.
The deaths of the doctors, particularly psychiatrists, had shocked the people of the city. Psychiatrists, who are entrusted with the treatment of the people’s psychological issues were themselves involved in tragic incidents of murder and suicide, leaving the locals alarmed over the underlying reasons for their trauma.
Sources added that the family had not been living a stable life. Dr. Azhar had reportedly experienced serious family conflicts.
Another aspect that had not been discussed during the tragic saga was the added trouble of living in isolation in times of the coronavirus lockdowns.
The paranoia caused by ‘the new normal’ of living isolated in homes was a new experience for the aggrieved family. Sources told The Express Tribune that Dr. Mohib had been hospitalised after being tested positive for Covid-19, a few days prior to his suicide.
Dr. Azhar was also living a life of complete isolation since the start of the pandemic.
He had not been interacting with anyone other than immediate family members. He had been offering his counseling services to the patients through telephone only.
Mental illnesses had reportedly multiplied during the pandemic, as suggested by many studies.
The ‘Corona Syndrome’ or ‘Corona Induced Depression’ were often cited as a separate category of illness in psychiatry in certain countries.
Covid-19 compelled governments around the world toward a globalised lockdown and stressed the need for social isolation.
Similarly, lockdowns across Punjab also permeated economic anxiety among the people.
A spike in unemployment, inflation and poverty levels also disturbed the people, which may have contributed to the suicide cases.
Stress of various natures was increasing with each passing day. Unfortunately, no steps were taken by the government to address this issue at the policymaking level.
Covid-19 might be defeated by vaccination efforts. However, the rising mental illnesses induced by the pandemic may last over the coming months.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2021.
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