272 died by suicide in Karnali last year, say police

SURKHET: As many as 273 individuals died by suicide in Karnali Province in fiscal year 2022/23, according to Karnali Provincial Police Office.

Officials of the province government disclosed this data during an interaction with journalists held in Surkhet on Sunday to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. The interaction was organized by the Ministry of Social Development, Karnali Province, with a slogan ‘Give Hope and Save Lives’.

Breaking down the figures by district, Surkhet recorded the highest number of suicides at 109, followed by Salyan (45), Dailekh (44), Rukum West (28), Jajarkot (19), Kalikot (12), Jumla (6), Humla (6), and Mugu (4). There were no reported suicides in Dolpa.

According to Karnali Provincial Police Office, a total of 6,993 individuals died by suicide across the country in fiscal year 2022/23. This includes 3,942 males, 2,256 females, and nearly 800 minors. In the previous fiscal year (2021/22), the number of deaths by suicide stood at 6,830.

The provincial police office has cited several factors, including psychological, social, and family issues, as the reasons behind rising suicide rates in the country.

Kavita Khatri, a community living officer at the Ministry of Social Development, said that most of the individuals committing suicide fall within the age group of 15-29 years.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Development has introduced a toll-free helpline service with the number 1166 to aid in suicide prevention efforts.