Concerning spike in suicide cases among the Indian community

I AM somewhat shocked and saddened by the sudden spike in suicides in our Indian community. This self-inflicted, silent death is not to be hushed up.

Why end your life when your future lies ahead? Why must parents or family members now be forced to go through the pain of burying their young children or relatives?

If bullying is the reason, then death is a victory for the bully with no conscience. If a broken heart is a reason, then dying for someone who doesn’t love you would be in vain.

If failure in school is the reason, then what are rewrites and supplementary exams for? If unemployment is the reason, no monetary value can buy back your life. Suicide is a no thank you to your parents, family and friends, and a cowardly goodbye to all of them!

What happened to open communication and our bonds with our parents and siblings? Since when did your diaries and social media become your family and friends?

Should we not share our grief and pain and burdens with our loved ones, being our parents, siblings, relatives, friends, school buddies, teachers, priests and neighbours?

If and when you do confide in your friends and family, etc, that you want to end it all, that life is not worth it, that you can’t take it any more, that you have been hurt too much, what do they do? If they don’t take you seriously, or take it as a joke, they must be nuts, as no one jokes about death or suicide!

If they keep quiet and don’t talk you out of it, or fail to mention this to someone who can actually speak to you and influence you not to do so, then they have failed you. Still, don’t give up hope. Seek good friends and helpers.

Suicide is the coward’s way out. Please don’t do it. Revenge is not the reason to hurt those who love and value you. Speak up, speak out, speak life. Seek help. Respect your parents who raised you. Don’t insult God, your Maker.

To all those who have written exams, students, matriculants, the university and college students, hope you studied hard and did well. If not, try again, love life and live for every day.

You are destined to have good friends, get married, be good role models, have great jobs and careers; the future is in your hands. Seize your moments. Life is precious, make it last!

Seasons greetings and a blessed, joyous, healthy and prosperous new year to the editor, staff and readers.