Published on 12:00 AM, April 28, 2012

10,000 commit suicide a year

Say police statistics

The suicide rate in Bangladesh is on the rise as over 10,000 people commit suicide every year for various reasons, according to statistics provided by the Police Headquarters.
The statistics show that 73,389 people committed suicide in seven years from 2002 to 2009. Of them, 31,857 hanged themselves and 41,532 had swallowed poison to take their own life.
Though it was not clear as how many youths were among the suicide deaths, their number would be higher than others, said a police official wishing not to be named.
Statistics released by Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastabayan Sangstha, a rights group, reveal that 258 people--180 women and 78 men--killed themselves in eight months from January 2011 to August 2011.
According to statistics provided by Jatiya Mahila Ainjibi Samity, 40 girls committed suicide from 2006 to 2010 because of stalking while 4,747 women and girls killed themselves from 2001 to 2010 due to family violence, both physical and mental.
Hidan Mehjabin, a seventh grade student of Viqarunnisa Noon School, killed herself on October 9, 2011 having failed to endure the agony caused by the separation of her parents.
Sultana Akhter, 24, a resident of Kandapara village in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj district, committed suicide following torture by her husband over dowry on October 13, 2011.
Dr. Mohammad Jahangirul Alam, a physician at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), says the most common underlying disorder is depression and 30-70 percent of suicide victims suffer from major depression or bipolar (manicdepressive) disorder.