Suicide is a tragic and
puzzling phenomenon and it is very difficult to ascertain its innumerable
reasons. In this age of information technologies, which is producing miraculous
inventions and providing computer-based solutions to problems in all the
faculties of science, the sharp rise in suicidal attempts on one’s own life
seems un-imaginable. For the individual who commits suicide, to him this act
usually represents as the only solution to his problem, which he thinks would
going to be worse. Suicide, in our view, is the cruelest act that is committed
by a person who is depressed and fed up with the compelling situation of his
dismayed life and thinks that suicide is the only solution to his agonies or
unsuccessful life in this world.
Suicide is a neurological disease related to mal-functioning of the brain.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there is minimal awareness of various neurological
diseases, which are causing harm to the society beyond our comprehension. The
nervous system of a human body chiefly constitutes of the brain, spinal cord,
and nerves system. The neurological reports confirm that 10 to 15 percent people
of the world have illness related to the brain, e.g. distress and tension. There
are many such diseases, which may not be bothering people in under-developed and
developing countries such as Pakistan, but which they are likely to assume
epidemic proportions as evident from number of suicides frequently reported in
Daily Newspapers. Common neurological problems include: depression, neurogenic
diseases. These diseases are largely remaining un-diagnosed and un- treated in
our country. If not treated properly, these diseases make the person a
non-functional component of the society.
Risk Factors of Suicide:
Age:
suicide in men peaks in the 20s and again in the 60s and 70s.
Unemployment:
The suicide rate has been shown to rise and fall with the unemployment rate in a
number of countries – half of the record 33,000 people who committed suicide in
Japan in 1999 were unemployed.
Social isolation: Those who kill themselves often live alone and have little
contact with others. They may have been recently widowed or have never married.
Many of the above risk factors affect men more than women. It is important to
remember that many people are subject to these factors, but only a tiny minority
of them will end their own lives.
Other factors are also significant. The most important risk factor is the
presence of a mental illness. The most important protective factor is the
presence of good support from family or friends.
What can society do?
Something about modern life is killing more and more young men by suicide. But
at the same time it's not affecting young women. We need to know more about why
this is happening and if necessary society must consider changes in the way we
live in an attempt to reduce the toll of suicide. Education campaigns could help
men and young men in particular, to seek assistance rather than suffer in
silence. About 80 percent of women who have committed suicide will have
consulted their doctors and received treatment before their deaths. Only 50 per
cent of men will have done so. For men aged less than 25 years of age, the
proportion is only 20 percent.
What Does Islam Says About Suicide:
The Holy Qur’an says:
“And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most
Merciful…” (An-Nisa 4:29).
Emotional Issues of the Younger Generation:
The World Health Organization estimates that all over the world up to 20 percent
children and teenagers suffer from mental disorders, serious enough to need
professional attention. Some of the most common problems faced by them are
ignorance of parents, unnecessary attention from their love ones, serious
emotional disturbance, and then they conduct suicide.
Some of the most common symptoms of emotional and behavioral problems in
pre-adult are: Depression, Withdrawn behavior, Difficulty in getting along with
peers, Conflict with authority, Low self-esteem, Aggressive behavior,
Difficulties with learning, Low frustration tolerance. Runaway behavior,
Substance abuse, unreasonable anxieties associated with personal problems.
The person who is dismayed or depressed and has lost self-control is compelled
to commit suicide without comprehending the consequences of his separation from
the family members, who will have to face afflictions and financial problems.
Thus they will be burden on the society or they will also involve themselves in
acts, which are harmful to them and the society.
There is a sincere need to realize this problem and its consequences. To solve
these problems good governance, training and education is required. Religious
scholars and mass media can play very important role in creating awareness about
this condemned act. The dismayed persons need special attention, love, extra
care, a true friend to understand his feelings. We have to believe that we are
important our precious life is important. Suicide is not the solution for any
problem. We should believe in our self that we can solve any of our problems.