Srinagar, Sept 21: A whopping 127 people died due suicide while 238 attempted to end life in Kashmir Valley in 16 months till June this year, State Disaster Response Force said on Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the programme regarding Sukoon mental health Helpline, Commandant SDRF 1st Bn Srinagar Haseeb ur Rehman said a study was conducted regarding suicide cases in Kashmir and during the period from February 2021 to June 2022, 365 persons were found to have attempted suicide of which 127 persons died while 238 survived.

He said that post-covid pandemic, mental health has been a serious issue for which a 24×7 Sukoon helpline has been launched to help out the people from depression or any mental health issue and rehabilitate them.

“Mental health helpline counseling by experts is provided to the individuals suffering from depression,” he said in a statement.

Post Covid-19 pandemic, Kashmir has witnessed a huge spurt in the suicide attempts and suicides as figures reveal that since February 2021, the Valley witnessed 365 suicide attempts while 127 persons died after taking extreme step.

The data prepared by the SDRF suggests that from February 2021 onwards, 365 attempts of suicides were recorded while as 127 persons died after committing the suicide. “238 survived after taking extreme steps,” the figures reveal.

The data states that district Budgam reported highest number of attempt to suicides at 72 followed by district Baramulla at 61. “Similarly, Ananatnag district recorded 55 suicide attempts and Kupwara 51. Bandipora saw 34 suicide attempts, followed by 19 in Shopian and 15 in Pulwama. District Kulgam recorded 25 suicide bids and Srinagar 17,” the figures revealed, adding that that in total, 365 suicide attempts were recorded from February 2021 to date.

The figures disclosed that 127 people died after taking extreme steps that includes 17 in Srinagar, 11 in Ganderbal,  08 in Bandipora, 09 in Shopian, 08 in Pulwama, 11 in Budgam, 31 in Anantnag 10 in Kulgam, 15 in Baramulla and  07 in Kupwara.

SSP SDRF Hasseeb-ur-Rehman said that post Covid-19 pandemic, Kashmir has seen a spurt in suicide related incidents. “There are many reasons and the most common ones are financial issues and domestic issues. We are receiving a lot of distress calls on the Sukoon help line where we provide immediate counselling. There is a need to plug the growing trend,” he said. The SSP SDRF said that they are going to submit the report to Chief Secretary J&K A K Mehta for action. “We are hopeful that government will act on the report and accordingly steps will be taken to address the issue,” he said