About 31.3 percent of people who either completed or attempted suicide in 2016 and 2017 were farmers, according to a review of the three-year suicide prevention action plan by the National Suicide Prevention Programme (NSPP).

The review found that 26 percent of those who completed or attempted taking their own lives were employed, 17.6 percent were students and 11.8 percent were housewives.

According to the national suicide registry, a total of 191 individuals had completed suicide while 132 had attempted suicide in these two years.

Of the total 323 reported cases in these two years, 71.4 percent of males and 47.9 percent of females had completed suicide. In case of attempted cases, the majority, 88, were females.

In 2017, farmers at 54, topped the list of those who committed and attempted suicide. Students and employed individuals followed with 33 and 28 cases each. 

Nine housewives including eight attempted cases were also reported in the same year.

Of the 171 completed and attempted suicide cases in 2016, about 56 cases, the highest, were among employed individuals followed by 47 farmers. About 29 were housewives and 24 students.

In terms of age group, about 56 percent of the completed or attempted suicides were in the working population ages between 15 and 60 years. Youth, between 15 and 24 years comprised 18.6 percent while adolescents (10 to 19 years) was 20.8 percent.

The cause of suicide for a majority of the reported cases (60.1 percent) was reported as unknown. About 22.4 percent reported social problems as the cause for suicide while 15 percent gave a psychological reason.

The last cabinet endorsed the action plan to address the increasing number of suicides in the country. About 92 suicide cases were reported from across the country last year while 106 suicide cases were reported in the previous year.

Based on the review of the three-year action plan, the programme has come up with a new five-year suicide prevention action plan after a series of consultation with the implementing partners and stakeholders.

 Dechen Tshomo

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