Goa has been grappling with the rising number of suicide cases in recent years, a disturbing trend, one that puts a question mark on stress-related lifestyles and redressal systems. The steady increase in suicides in Goa is certainly a cause for concern because it leaves a negative impact on families, friends, and society, and does not bode well for a State that projects itself as an "all is well" destination.
Data reveals that last year Goa recorded 333 cases of suicide, the highest number in the past decade; there were 315 cases in 2021 and 308 in 2020. From January to June this year there were 126 suicides reported. Apparently, there have been several cases which have gone unnoticed and reported as unnatural deaths. The most alarming part is that most of these cases are between the age group of 18 and 35 indicating that younger people are resorting to this extreme step.
Suicides, however, are not restricted to a particular class of individuals or youth in an age bracket. The recent suicide by a senior Margao-based lawyer is an indication that suicidal tendencies can occur in any age group. In the list of suicide cases are youngsters – boys and girls, students, senior citizens, professionals, policemen and even migrants.
The fact that mental health organisations receive 4-5 calls daily from people with high stress levels or with depression, goes on to explain that Goa has a serious problem at hand. The data is staggering, and the figures are showing an upward trajectory indicating that as a society something is going horribly wrong.
So what is going wrong? A state that has a high happiness index – Goa topped the list in 2021 among small states, an average of more than one suicide every second day is baffling and shameful. Goa embodies peace, harmony and ease of living, but underneath the ugly and troubled side is showing.
Suicide is a complex and multifaceted problem that is linked to varied factors like job and financial insecurities, bankruptcies, economic pressures, personal, family and emotional issues or simply a psychological problem. The worst part is that persons who are going through these stresses do not seek professional help or counselling and withdraw fearing stigma.
The government has introduced counsellors at various levels including the education system. However, those steps seem to be not working. While there have been emphatic speeches made on the need to raise mental health, including some echoes in the Legislative Assembly, nothing significant has happened on the ground.
Goa has good healthcare facilities, but mental health awareness is seriously lacking. Also, more emphasis is needed on counselling, with professionals roped in to address these cases promptly. In this age, Goans need easy access to solutions. Wait time has to be drastically cut down. The government has to promote mental health in a big way so that the stigma around it is negated. Goans look at depression and stress way too differently. It’s about changing mindsets and helping people to come out of difficult situations.
Let’s not forget, that rising suicides are not an exclusive problem for the government to solve. The community as a whole has a major role to play. There has to be a larger discourse and societal engagement so that the eerie silence surrounding mental health issues is discussed with openness and follow-up support. Goa's rising graph of suicides is certainly a wake-up call for all. It's time we as a society and the government acknowledge the gravity of this issue and take collective measures to create a more compassionate and soothing environment to offset mental and societal pressures that come along every day.
