Thailand’s Mental Health Dept Estimates 53,000 Thais Attempt Suicide Annually

 

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Department of Mental Health, has estimated that 53,000 Thais will attempt to commit suicide this year, which is equivalent to six people per hour. The alarming finding has shocked Thais and marks World Suicide Prevention Day.

The department stated that there are people with a tendency to want to end their own lives in every community across the Kingdom, saying that most of them are in the working age.

The agency reported that in 2016 alone, 4,131 Thais died by committing suicide, while indicating that of that number, male deaths were four times higher than that of females. The data also pointed out that the youngest suicide victim was 10 and the oldest was 100. The department added that most of the suicide victims were single, while estimating that suicide has caused the nation more than 400 million baht worth of opportunity damage.

A spokesman for the Department of Mental Health said today that each suicide death affects the mental health of those who are close to the victim. The office identified five common reasons for committing suicide, which are personal relations, alcohol use, narcotic drug use, society and the economy.

The analysis done by the department also indicated that male suicide victims usually suffered from mental issues stemming from drinking alcohol and using drugs, saying that becoming intoxicated from alcohol tends to double the chance of committing suicide. On the other hand, females who decided to end their lives by committing suicide often had unresolved relationship issues, were feeling offended by criticisms or had become devastated after a failed romantic relationship.

According to the data from the World Health Organization, the average number of deaths by suicide per year is 800,000, which transposes to one death by suicide every 40 seconds. The rate is a shocking 80% higher that the combined number of deaths by murder and violent incidents stemming from conflicts. The organization has set a goal of reducing the annual suicide deaths figure by 10%, by 2020.

People who are on the verge of committing suicide may have expressed a desire to end their lives to people around them or have suddenly visited friends and family members who he or she has never visited before, apparently to say farewell. They may have be seen in isolation appearing depressed, or started giving away beloved possessions or have given parting instructions to people close to them or have drafted a living will. Suicide-victims-to-be may also intensify their drinking or drug usage.

Prolonged insomnia and chronic diseases are also common suicide reasons. Suicide deaths are also caused by life issues such as being declared bankrupt, losing a loved one suddenly or being disabled from an accident. Another alarming indication that a person may be contemplating suicide is an abrupt burst of energy, which may imply that he or she has gathered the courage to commit suicide.

By Nuppol Suvansombut