Renowned novelist Ernest Hemingway once said, “The real reason for not committing suicide is because you always know how swell life gets again after hell is over.”
Yet for some, the “hell” never ends — and they take their own lives.
The alleged suicide of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adeel Akbar, who died from a gunshot wound in Islamabad, has once again brought attention to the mental health crisis among civil servants and individuals in Pakistan. Mental health is a significant issue globally, but it remains inadequately addressed in our country.
There has been a troubling number of civil servants who have taken their own lives, from Mustafa Zaidi, the well-known poet and talented CSP officer who once wrote:
Main kis ke haath pe apna luhoo talash karoon
Tamaam shehr ne pehne huay hain dastaane — to SP Adeel Akbar.
The suicide rate among both civil servants and ordinary individuals in Pakistan is increasing. Some studies show that suicide has become the fourth leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700,000 people die due to suicide every year.
A few years back, when Sushant Singh Rajput, a handsome and talented Bollywood actor, committed suicide, many questions arose in my mind. Sushant had a successful career and appeared to possess everything one could desire: money, fame, and beauty. So why would he end his life with his own hands?
The mind becomes trapped in a prison of negative thoughts, where happiness, hope, and joy seem unattainable
Similarly, after hearing the news of Adeel Akbar’s death, the same questions resurfaced. Both Sushant Singh and Adeel Akbar came from entirely different worlds, yet both ended their lives. The common thread linking them may be traced back to stress and deteriorating mental health.
Pakistan, a densely populated country with an estimated population of 225 million, has yet to take suicide as a public health challenge seriously. The WHO reported that in 2022, 8.9 suicides occurred per 100,000 people in Pakistan (13.3% male and 4.3% female). Data also shows that between 15 and 35 people die by suicide every day, roughly one person every hour. The causes are multidimensional, including genetic, social, psychological, and cultural factors. Unfortunately, suicide has remained an under-researched and stigmatised topic in Pakistan.
A human being naturally loves life, but mental illness can make a person their own worst enemy. Psychologists explain that suicide is not an impulsive act; rather, it is the tragic endpoint of prolonged suffering. The mind becomes trapped in a prison of negative thoughts, where happiness, hope, and joy seem unattainable. After enduring isolation for a long time, a person may finally see suicide as the only escape.
In developing countries like Pakistan, the causes of depression and mental health issues include unemployment, poverty, hunger, social pressure, toxic societal attitudes, lack of purpose, fear of the future, and separation from loved ones.
Common symptoms of mental health issues include loneliness, sadness, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, and loss of appetite or interest in daily activities. Suicides related to depression are often the result of hopelessness and distorted judgment.
However, depression-related suicides can be prevented through interventions at the individual, community, and state levels. We can all play a positive role by being attentive to changes in others, supporting those who feel hopeless, offering financial or emotional help, and even showing kindness through simple gestures like a smile.
To prevent suicides among civil servants and professionals, promoting mental health awareness, creating supportive work environments, implementing stress management programmes, and providing access to counselling and psychological resources are essential.
For the youth, government action is crucial. Rising unemployment, economic instability, and hopelessness have left many young people vulnerable. Investing in skill development, education, and job creation can significantly reduce.