Key Messages from Management

Dr. Saima Hamid Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Suicide is a global issue and comes under SDGs# 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) while Pakistan is one of the signatories of the UN 17 SDGs Target 2015-2030. Sadly, Pakistan has no official statistics while suicide is a criminal offence and great stigma is attached to it. This issue has become more important as it is the 2nd leading cause of death among youth. We all are aware that Pakistan is one of the young nations throughout the World. To reduce the suicide and associated stigma FJWU in a collaboration with PILL & the University of Manchester has launched Pakistan’s first "Centre for Research on Suicide Prevention” to study the in-depth causes, treatment, available resources and help policymakers in research-informed suicide prevention policy which is aligned with the SDGS 2030 target.

Prof. Nasim Chaudhry CEO Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning Professor of Psychiatry, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi

Suicide prevention days are observed to remind us that suicide remains a public health tragedy. We must continue to work all year around to prevent suicide by raising awareness, reducing stigma, improving help seeking, developing affordable culturally appropriate evidence based solutions and never giving up. We must come together with collective passion to have a national response to this tragedy by developing an effective suicide prevention strategy

Mr. Riaz Fatyana MNA, Convener of SDGs Task Force

Today we are celebrating World Suicide Prevention Day, according to the facts & figures 15-35 age youth are committing more suicides. Risk factors include loneliness, weak parenting, hunger as one third of the population is below poverty line. Unemployment and the Covid 19 Pandemic. Common methods are hanging, insecticides, pesticide, washing detergents and fire arms. No prohibitions have been made on these items' availability. Until now, the prevention perspective has not been taken into consideration. According to Pakistan Penal code section 325, there is a punishment for suicide in the form of 1 year jail or 10 lac fine, I presented an amendment bill in the National Assembly, rather to give them penalty punishment or sentence, he/she should be shifted to the prevention or rehabilitation centres for help. Being a national convener, parliamentary task on sustainable development goals, SGDs. Goal 3 is Good Health and wellbeing Mental Health and suicide prevention comes under goal 3. We are inaugurating Pakistan's First National center for Research on suicide prevention in Fatima Jinnah women University Rawalpindi, we will try to make these same centres in other institutes. We will work on forming Helplines and counselling centres as first 30 mins are critical and that crisis management is necessarily. Let us create hope through action.

Prof. Nusrat Hussain Professor of Psychiatry, Director Research Global Mental Health University of Manchester, UK

This year world suicide prevention day has assumed a new triennial theme “creating hope through action” this call of action seeks to communicate a sense of courage in those who feel hopelessness, a sense of confidence in those who feel lonely, isolated or entrapped. Suicide is a huge and growing global public health concern. Millions of people die by suicide and 75% of the suicide occurs in low and middle-income countries Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among youth while Pakistan has a large young population (64%) which makes the issue even bigger public health challenge. The many restrictions imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in many people, particularly those who were already vulnerable, feeling alone or isolated. The task is so huge that we consider the best way forward is to think and collaborate globally, plan nationally and act regionally. By only listening and showing compassion, we can help somebody feel that life is worth living that there is an alternate to self-harm and suicide and there will be brighter days ahead.

Dr. Aneela Maqsood Head of Department of Behavioral Sciences Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

World Suicide Prevention Day calls for structured efforts by mental health professionals to reduce suicide and mental health ailments through rigorous and sustainable mental health promotion and improved service delivery. There is a strong need to generate evidence-based effectiveness of treatment and care models for varying groups of communities. Enhancing the capacity building and training of practitioners in relevant expertise must be emphasized. Offering a forum for initiating and promoting lifesaving dialogue is the need of time. Country's first National Centre of Research on Suicide Prevention at Fatima Jinnah Women University is responsive to all such efforts. Together, we are aspiring to move towards a promising agenda of development aiming to contribute in healthier and responsible society.

Prof. Imran Bashir Chaudhary Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Ziauddin hospital, Karachi

According to the WHO almost 800000 people die by suicide every year and is the second leading cause of death in young people. Pakistan has no suicide prevention strategy or policy till date and has more than 60% population below the age of 30 years, making the task even more challenging. The Centre for research on suicide prevention would be the backbone of suicide prevention in Pakistan by studying the prevalence, actual causes, common methods being used, effective interventions which are culturally appropriate and research informed National Suicide Prevention Policy and Implementation plan aligned with the SDGs 2030 task, especially SDG 3# which is good health and wellbeing.