A suicide every four hours in Sri Lanka

A suicide is happening in Sri Lanka once in every four hours and the majority of them are reported among males, Director of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Dr.  Rohan Ratnayake said yesterday (16).

Addressing a workshop at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) Dr. Ratnayake said 2,833 males and 574 females have committed suicide in 2022.

Owing to the current economic crisis, it is observed that the number of suicides amongst apparel factory employees has increased and as a result, suicides in the Gampaha District have increased at an abnormal rate, he pointed out.

“Many of these suicides happen due to flash decisions. At the same time, 18 per cent of suicides have happened by consuming hazardous pesticides,” he said.

Financial issues, relationship issues, consuming alcohol, family issues, assaults and various illnesses are among the main reasons for suicides.  Suicides are reported mainly from elderly males, LGBTQI+ community, young women and prisoners, he added.

Speaking further, he said 15.6 per cent from every 100,000 of population died by suicide in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Also, the ratio of attempts at suicides is 1:15.

The NIMH Director said, he WHO has rated Sri Lanka as the 3rd in the list of countries that have the highest suicide rates.

“But this is not true. Sri Lanka is in the 30th place. We have informed the WHO to correct this,” he said.

(If you needs mental health assistance dial 1926: the hotline of National Institute of Mental Health