Listen to people with suicidal thoughts, you could save a life

This is with reference to the news report: ‘Indian social worker found hanging in a villa’ (KT, Dec. 10). Unfortunately, suicides have become common news among Indian expatriates.

According to a study, financial troubles are the major reason why people choose to commit suicide. This is followed by family problems and job related issues. Last week, an Indian social worker committed suicide. He was working for a monthly salary of Dh8,000. He had started

his own venture, and accumulated heavy debt to fund it. However, his inability to pay back forced him to take his own life.

Starting a business is fairly easy here, but we should be aware that running it needs adequate working capital. Yet, many people taking the entrepreneurial route do not plan on this front.

People fail to factor in losses, or lower revenue. All business plans should be well thought out. Take into consideration the financial aspect of running a venture. Banks usually do not give term loans to start a business, and the biggest

mistake people make is opting for multiple credit cards and individual lending, where interest rates can be really high — as much as 10 per cent per month!

Another cause for suicide is family issues. Lack of communication and ego hassles can often shut doors for help. When people are not ready to compromise or ask for help, the only viable option they think they have is to end it all, once and forever.

We as individuals can help people who develop suicidal tendencies by listening to their problems, talking to them and encouraging them to think positive and look for solutions

rather than committing suicide.

Talking to someone and discussing issues that trouble you lends clarity of thought and alleviates suffering. Therefore, I started an initiative called ‘Swandanam’ (Console Them) in 2006, offering my mobile number to people suffering from extreme mental distress.

It was a success. A number of psychiatrists, psychologists and sociologists, too, came forward to help people.

I am sure public involvement can reduce and possibly reduce rates of suicide among expatriates.