Suicides in G-B

The perplexing rise of suicide cases in Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in Ghizer district, has confounded Pakistani anthropologists, urging them to conduct studies to ascertain contributing factors that have led to this phenomenon. While there is a dearth of research on the matter, a recent report indicates that low socio-economic index — including communication gap, academic pressure, unemployment and lack of healthcare — seems to be the major reason for this rise as cases have almost doubled as compared to last year. This indeed calls for a mental health emergency to be declared in the mountainous region. Police officials should be on high alert while family members must remain vigilant.

Economic downturns have long been associated with increased suicide rates in many international reports. However, one must question that if poor socio-economic conditions persist across the country, why does G-B suffer from a noticeably high suicide rate? There must be a deeper underlying cause that researchers will need to identify. Local communities are also aware of the threat and have come together multiple times to seek reasons and solutions but nothing significant has come about. The local government must collaborate with them to create a strong welfare system and ensure social protection to help mitigate the risk. Not only is research in Pakistan heavily restricted due to lack of skilled professionals and funds, stigma around mental health issues normalises psychological factors that need to be accounted for.

The local government now must look to hire international experts to conduct research and hold welfare sessions with affected communities not just to improve mental health but also to help them cope with loss as grief can be vicious and contagious. By working towards integrating G-B with the rest of the country through social events and grass-root development, officials can mitigate majority of the factors described in the report.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2022.

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