According to the latest report from the Yangon Mental Health Hospital, the suicide rate is highest among people between the ages of 25 and 40.
Last year, authorities expressed worry over the high suicide rate in Yangon, which at the time was an average of one every two days.
“It’s not true that suicides are only now becoming more common in Myanmar. They have always been an issue,” Dr Tin Oo, the head of the hospital’s mental health education project, told Eleven.
“If we examine past cases, we can see that some of the victims were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alternatively, some victims will have had pre-existing mental health conditions or discontent about some aspect of their personal life.”
The hospital receives approximately 1,300 patients per year and has separate departments for men, women, criminals, alcohol addicts and drug addicts. Most patients suffer from alcohol addiction.
The 25-to-40 age group accounted for 36 per cent of suicide cases; those aged 40 and above made up 27-30 per cent; 18-25-year-olds made up 20-22 per cent; and 10-to-18-year-olds comprised 7-12 per cent.
“There are multiple reasons as to what drives someone to take their own life. Some find themselves in a financial crisis that they feel they can’t resolve, or are driven to it because of some form of humiliation. What’s certain, though, is that the decision to commit suicide is linked to a health issue, such as a mental illness, an alcohol addiction, or a drug addiction or to a social issue,” said Dr Tin Oo.
According to a 2014 WHO report, the estimated suicide rate in Southeast Asia was the highest among WHO regions. Within the region, suicide rates were highest among young people and the elderly.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please reach out. A range of free counselling services provided by the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Yangon can be reached at 09509440408003, 09401638420, 09421181246, or 09253258821.
The emergency crisis hotline at the Pan Hlaing Siloam Hospital can be reached at 09452625100. The hotline at Parami Hospital can be reached at 01657930 or at 09977870369.
