Odisha capital sees increase in suicide cases in first half this year

BHUBANESWAR: As Covid-19 pandemic triggered stress and psychological ailments among many, suicide cases recorded a marginal increase in Bhubaneswar in the first half of 2021 as compared to the corresponding period last year.
While altogether 142 people had committed suicide in the capital city between January and June last year, 151 people ended their lives here during the same period this year.
The 151 deceased included 38 people, who died by suicide during the lockdown in May (16 suicides) and June (22 suicides) this year. The suicide figures of the lockdown in May and June 2020 stood at 49 (18 in May and 31 in June).
Police said overall suicide cases went up in Bhubaneswar in 2020 compared to 2019. While 220 persons had committed suicides in 2019, the figure rose to 310 in 2020.
“Though suicide cases have not increased during the lockdown this year compared to the first wave, the pandemic’s impact on the minds of people has not subsided. In most cases, the deceased suffered from deep stress and ended their lives,” a senior police officer said.
Most of the victims were in their 30s and 40s. “They were not highly educated. A few of them had to end their lives due to job loss and poor financial conditions. They either consumed poison or hanged themselves to death,” the officer said.
Psychologists have been flooded with patients suffering from Covid-induced depression. “We found that the lockdown and the post-lockdown circumstances affected the middle-class people more than any other class. Closure of shops, malls and restaurants led to joblessness of many youths. Students have been in stress because of their uncertain future and career following closure of schools and coaching centres,” said S N Mishra, a retired psychology professor.
Some experts said many people suffered from mental imbalance following negativity being spread through various sources of communication, media and social media. “Parents and other family members have greater roles to play to keep the youths and children happy. We too have been counselling the depressed persons,” Mishra said.