SUICIDAL TENDENCIES AMONG

YOUNGSTERS IN KASHMIR

By
Sameer bilal (16042122103)
Asif Ahmad Dar (16042122006)
Sadaf Shabir (16042122107)
Seerat Nazir (16042122105)

Date
10th June, 2022
Course title
Child law and juvenile justice
Teacher concerned
Dr. Saba Manzoor
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Contents
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES AMONG YOUNGSTERS IN KASHMIR..........................................................1
By..............................................................................................................................................................1
Date.......................................................................................................................................................1
10th June, 2022......................................................................................................................................1
Course title............................................................................................................................................1
Child law and juvenile justice...............................................................................................................1
Teacher concerned................................................................................................................................1
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................3
WHY SUICIDE?...........................................................................................................................................5
SOME MYTHS AND FACTS.......................................................................................................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................................7
ITERVIEW................................................................................................................................................7
QUESTIONNAIRE CUM INTERACTIVE SESSION..............................................................................7

ABSTRACT

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Suicide is a major problem in the Indian context. It has become a severe mental health problem
affecting the young population of this country. Many states in India record a greater than fifteen
percent rate of suicide. An important demographic observation in this regard has been that a majority
of suicides in India are committed by the younger population mostly below thirty years. Around thirty
seven percent of people committing suicide in India are below the age of thirty. Like rest of India,
Kashmir is also facing an alarming increase in the rate of suicides. Some of the reasons are same in
Kashmir as rest of India, the conflict and political disturbance plays a major role in escalating the
suicidal tendencies. The immediate effect of all these disturbances is depression which in extreme
cases leads attempts by a person to end his/her life. That is why there is a need to address this issue,
create awareness among masses and counsel them about the nuisance of suicides. In this respect,
media have an important role to play. In Kashmir electronic media doesn’t prevail much and
newspapers predominantly prevail over other media. That is why newspapers can be major
contributors in spreading awareness among people. The current study analysis shows some leading
newspapers and coverage given by them to the issue of suicides through reports, editorials and
opinions. The study reveals that newspapers in Kashmir have given more importance to other issues
like politics, conflict etc. and ignored much important issue of suicides. Suicide as a 2nd leading cause
of death among juveniles has become a public health urgency worldwide. Suicide is not a sudden act
but is a continuum which starts with thoughts of ending one’s life (suicidal ideation). The purpose of
this study is to find the incidence of high level of suicidal ideation among adolescent students in
general and male and female adolescents in particular.

Keywords: suicide ideation, suicide attempts, juveniles, Kashmir, youth

INTRODUCTION
Suicide is defined as an act of intentionally terminating one's own life. However, this definition does
not do justice to the complexity of the concept and the numerous usages of terms across studies. Thus,
the nomenclature for suicidal ideation and behavior has been the subject of considerable international
attention and debate. The nomenclature of suicide behaviors without fatal outcome varies as well.
Sometimes they are referred to as "suicidality" while others term these as "suicide-related behaviors"
or "suicidal behavior" (SHNEIDMAN, 1993). Attempted suicide is a non-fatal, self-inflicted
destructive act with explicit or inferred intent to die. Suicide ideation also known as suicidal thoughts
concern thoughts about or an unusually preoccupation with suicide. The range of suicide ideation
varies greatly from fleeing thoughts, to extensive thoughts to detailed planning, role playing (standing
on a chair with a noose) and incomplete attempts, which may be deliberately constructed to not
complete or to be discovered, or may be fully intended to result in death but the individual service
(e.g. in case of hanging in which the cord breaks). Thus, suicidal ideation is thoughts about how to kill
oneself which can range from a detailed plan to a fleeing consideration and does not include the final
act of killing oneself. Most people who have suicidal thoughts do not go on to make suicide attempts,
but it is considered a risk factor. [1]

The Kashmir valley is one of the most communally unstable and politically disturbed regions all over
the world. There is a constant tug of war between the Indian Government and the Pakistani
Government regarding the border issues in Kashmir. A constant conflict and cycle of violence creates
mental disturbances among the people of Kashmir. The mass trauma situation faced by the people of
Jammu and Kashmir for the last 20 years has resulted in many people to suffer from the Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Studies conducted show that significant sections of the Kashmiri

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population suffer from some or the other kind of mental illnesses, stress and psychological disorders
specially depression. And these mental health disorders often lead to increased cases of suicides
particularly among youth.

Suicide has become a significant concern in Kashmir, where it was formerly rare. NCRB (2010)
recorded 248 suicides in Jammu and Kashmir, while over 287 persons committed suicide in 2011.
Suicide fatalities increased by 43.3% in J &K in 2012, when 417 people were reported to have ended
their life by committing suicide (NCRB, 2012). In 2019, 284 people committed suicide in J & K,
accounting for 2.1% of the state’s population of one lakh (NCRB, 2019). While the suicide rate in J & K
is lower than the national average of 10.8 percent per lakh people, it is a buzzing signal to reflect. A
small number of people consider suicide as a spur of the moment, but for the majority, it is a
deliberate act motivated by extended periods of despair or horrible circumstances.

According to a report published by the National Human Rights Commission of India, mentioned that
20,000 people have attempted suicide during the 14 years of socio-political turmoil in Kashmir.
About 3,000 of them have died and most of them were in the 16 to 25 age group. In Kashmir, it is
alleged that suicides are said to have claimed the second-highest number of lives after militancy. The
report further mentions that 575 cases of attempt to suicide were admitted to the SMHS Hospital
alone. In the entire State, at least one suicide is recorded every alternate day and there is hardly a
hamlet or mohalla that was left untouched by more than one incident of suicide attempts. Quoting
psychiatrists, the report said that the incessant violence in the Valley has devastated the psyche of the
Kashmiris and stress-related diseases have grown manifold across the social spectrum, driving people
mostly youngsters increasingly to suicide. In the month of June this year, 8 people died in Kashmir
valley by committing suicide.

Three decades of conflict, a total shutdown for months in the state since the abrogation of Article 370
on August 19 2019 and two long periods of lockdown during the first and second wave of the COVID-
19 pandemic — all of this together has created a serious mental health crisis in Jammu and Kashmir,
and led to a sudden spurt in suicides in the Union Territory in recent times. Suicides in Srinagar in
particular have raised at an alarming rate, as young boys, girls, women and even elderly individuals
are taking their own lives. The city of 1.2 million has been reporting one or two suicides on an average
every week.

Data available with the police reveal that in Srinagar district alone, 29 suicide attempts have been
recorded in recent times. “Twelve persons including six girls, three boys, and three elderly women
died by suicide, jumping into river Jhelum this year,” said a police officer. “A majority of cases were
reported in May, June, July and August last year. This is the first time Srinagar has seen such a rise in
suicide cases.”

The Jhelum River, which flows through the city and has seven bridges spanning it, has become a
common site of suicides in Srinagar. “In June and July alone we must have saved a dozen youth,
including a few girls, who were about to kill themselves here,” says Aijaz Ahmed, a resident of
Noorbagh. [5]

WHY SUICIDE?

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There are many reasons for people attempting suicide. These reasons may include parental pressure,
academic failure, and lack of moral and religious education, mental illness, traumatic stress, drugs,
loss or fear of loss, relationship and hopelessness.

Suicides are preventable, however. Effective and evidence-based interventions can be implemented at
population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. We can
control suicide attempts by reducing access to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain
medications), reporting by media in a responsible way, school-based interventions, introducing
policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, early identification, treatment and care of people with
mental and substance use disorders, chronic pain and acute emotional distress, training of non-
specialized health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behaviour and follow-up
care for people who attempted suicide and provision of community support.

Suicide is a complex issue and therefore suicide prevention efforts require coordination and
collaboration among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as
education, agriculture, business, justice, law, defence, politics and the media. These efforts must be
comprehensive and integrated as no single approach alone can make an impact on an issue as
complex as suicide. [2]

Across Kashmir, suicides are rising especially among youth. People are tired in general but youth are
more tired and closed off. Fuelled by mistrust and general disillusionment around, suicides are
becoming a leading cause of death in Kashmir. The data compiled by National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB) records around 6000 cases of suicide in Kashmir between 1990 and 2019, with experts
attributing the cause to the armed conflict. Experts also cite underlying health issues like anxiety,
major depressive disorders and drug addiction as related causes for suicide. [4]

Various reasons are creating an environment for suicides in Kashmir, and our faulty and defaulted
socio-cultural background is causing these reasons. The one who commits suicide is actually
registering his or her protest against this faulted system. It is a sort of reactionary action by the
victims.

Taking the example of our children we mostly treat them with a conventional approach rather than
with a scientific approach that is needed in this era. We don’t provide ample choices and the required
atmosphere to our kids. As a result, many of our children feel stressed. During the past two years, we
have seen some children below the age of 18 committing suicide. This indicates that something is
terribly wrong with our society.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and police records, earlier, people mostly
between 20 to 30 years age group, would commit suicides, but now even kids have started taking this
extreme step.

The problem lies in the very basic unit of our society —the family. For instance, we are letting our kids
fall prey to technology and gadgets. They are consuming internet like food. As the result, these kids,
particularly adolescents, indulge in harmful activities in terms of using gadgets with internet
connectivity. Our kids are becoming addicted to these gadgets with each passing day; they are not
conscious enough to understand the adverse impact of technology on their physical and mental

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health. They are innocent beings and they are not mature enough or trained to deal with this
technology.

Another issue that causes stress and the possibility of suicides in our society is the growing trend of
domestic violence

Poverty and lack of opportunities is another component of distress of many people. Since we had
already been prone to shutdowns and lockdowns but the pandemic has worsened the situation. In
these tough times, we have seen the poor becoming poorer due to the Covid lockdown

The conflict situation has already caused great damage to our society in terms of stress and anxiety in
people. In regions like Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama in south Kashmir, which has been violence-
prone for a long time, many people are grappling with mental health issues.

Another leading cause is the drug menace among children. Those who are addicted to drugs but
unable to take these because of their financial constraints are vulnerable to suicide attempts. Today,
Kashmir has become a thriving place of drug addiction. A good number of young people are addicted
to smoking, alcohol and other substances. They end their lives by committing suicide or suffering
from deadly diseases.

It has also been observed that those grappling with emotional health issues are mostly introverts.
They do not share their problems with others till their pain gets accumulated and then force them to
take extreme steps like suicides. They consider suicide as a shortcut to get rid of their problems.

Another reason is Stress in the marital life of the parents affects the minds of the children which in
turn lead to suicide. Parents have a responsibility to play their part in the development of the child
and to resolve their disputes amicably.

SOME MYTHS AND FACTS

MYTHS
1. People who talk about suicide won’t
commit it.
2. Talking about suicide may give someone
the idea.
3. People who die by suicide are people who
were unwilling to seek help.
FACTS
1. Almost everyone who attempts suicide
has given some clue or warning. Don’t
ignore even indirect references to death
or suicide. Statements like “You’ll be
sorry when I’m gone,” “I can’t see any way
out,” no matter how casually or jokingly
said may indicate serious suicidal
feelings.
2. You don’t give someone suicidal ideas by
talking about suicide. Rather, the opposite is
true. Talking openly and honestly about suicidal
thoughts and feelings can help save a life.
3. Many people try to get help before attempting
suicide. In fact, studies indicate that more than
50 per cent of suicide victims had sought
medical help in the six months prior to their

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deaths.
4. If someone is determined to kill 4. Even a very severely depressed person has
themselves, nothing is going to stop them. mixed feelings about death, fluctuating between
wanting to live and wanting to die. Rather than
wanting death, they just want the pain to stop—
and the impulse to end their life does not last
forever.
[3]

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTERVIEW

QUESTIONNAIRE CUM INTERACTIVE SESSION

We provided quest
QUESTIONS RESPONSE FROM RESPONSE FROM ANALYSIS
FEMALE MALE
PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPANTS
Have you ever heard YES NO YES NO
about mental 8 0 8 4 90% ARE AWARE OF
health?
Do you know that YES NO YES NO
mental health 8 0 11 1
issues are like
physical health 90% ARE AWARE OF
issues?
Do you ever feel YES NO YES NO 90% DEPRESSED
depressed? 8 0 9 3
If yes what makes FAMILY, RELATIOSHIP, USELESSESS, FAMILY, CHILDHOOD FAMILY, CAREER, RELATIONSHIPS
you feel so? HOMESICKNESS, TRAUMA, RELATIOSHIP, DRUGS,
STUDIES/CAREER SURROUNDINGS
How is your GOOD NOT GOOD GOOD NOT GOOD GOOD NOT GOOD
relationship with 5 3 9 3 70% 30%
your family?

YES NO
Are you comfortable YES NO FEMALE MALE
in sharing your 3 5 70% NOT 70%
8 4
problems with your COMFOTABLE COMFORTABLE
family? 30% 30% NOT
COMFORTABLE COMFORTABLE
If the answer to the
above question is
no, write in why so? BAD
BAD RELATIONSHIP
RELATIONSHIP
BAD RELATIONSHIP
Are you an introvert INTRO EXTRO INTROVERT EXTROVERT INTROVERT EXTROVERT
or extrovert? VERT VERT FEMALES FEMALES
80% 20%
6 2 MALES 50% MALES 50%
6 6
Do you tend to NEVER SOMETIMES NEVER SOMETIMES NEVER % SOMETI %
share your feelings MES

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with your friends? 4 4 4 8 F 50% F 50%

M 25% M 75%
. Have you ever felt YES NO YES NO YES % NO %
that you have been 2 6 6 6 F 20% F 80%
left out? If yes, REASON; FAMILY ,STRESS REASON ; FAMILY,DRUG,STRESS M 50% M 50%
please write why REASON; FAMILY, STRESS.
and when?

Have you ever been YES NO YES NO 50% FEMALES PRESSURIZED

pressurized by your 4 4 2 10
parents regarding 80% MALES PRESSURIZED
studies?

Have you ever been YES NO YES NO 60% FEMALES BULLIED

bullied in school? 5 3 5 7
45% MALES BULLIED
Have you ever been YES NO YES NO 60% FEMALES ILL TREATED.
ill treated by a 5 3 4 8
teacher? 40% MALES ILL TREATED.

Have you ever YES NO YES NO 60% FEMALES HAVE SUCH THOUGHTS.
thought of ending 5 3 4 8
your life? 40% MALES HAVE SUCH THOUGHTS.

If answer to the
above question is
yes, can you
describe the reason
for striking such
thoughts?
FAMILY ISSUE, FAMILY ISSUES FAMILY ISSUES
RELATIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIPS RELATIONSHIP
STRESS DRUGS STRESS
STUDY STRESS

Have you ever had a YES NO

thought that ending 4 8 50% FEMALES HAVE SUCH THOUGHT.
my life would YES NO
resolve all 4 4
problems? 40% MALES HAVE SUCH THOUGHT.

Have you ever YES NO YES NO 50% FEMALES

attempted to end 4 4 2 10
your life? 20% MALES

Have you ever YES NO YES NO

consulted any 3 5 6 6
mental health 35% FEMALES
expert?

50% MALES
If the answer to the
above question is
yes, then tell us
about your
experience?
FELLING BETTER NOW
FELLING BETTER NOW FELLING BETTER NOW
What do you do to SPENDING TIME WITH SPORTS, MOTIVATIONAL VIDEOS, MOTIVATIVATIONAL VIDEOS, READING
keep yourself FAMILY, MOTIVATED READING BOOKS, RELIGIOUS BOOKS, SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY. .

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motivated? VIDEOS,READING BOOKS SESSIONS, SPENDING TIME WITH

FAMILY.

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