The event was held under the auspices of Tharparkar police and Umeed Ghar – an organisation working to curb the increasing trend of suicide in Thar and Umerkot districts, in Mithi.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar Lal Dino Mangi highlighted that people are undergoing distress due to various reasons.
As far as children are concerned, the initial signs of depression are ignored by their parents at home. "It's now turning into a pandemic," he remarked.
SSP Abid Baloch shared with the gathering said that there were various reasons for the distress, including heartbreak in relationships, financial crisis, and domestic issues.
He added that those who were unable to pay a huge debt were also reported to have taken the extreme step. "Usurers should also be taken to the cleaners."
The officer pointed to at least 127 reported cases of suicide in Thar last year and 15 cases so far this year.
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Towards the solutions, he called for setting up open kacheris, and mass awareness to resolving the issue.
The SSP said that post mortem in a case of suicide must be declared mandatory and doctors should be trained in dealing with the cases.
He further observed that extensive consumption of liquor and other intoxicating substances was also the cause of the rise in depression.
Social activist Kashif Beejer termed child marriage a major reason behind the distress. He urged police to immediately take action in case of any complaint related to the practice. He said that seminars should be organised in educational institutes to further evaluate the causes of the rise.
Other speakers at the gathering were of the view that social and electronic media platforms should be used to highlight suicide prevention, and urged a joint effort from the civil society and the authorities concerned.
The event was participated by lawyers, doctors, businessmen, and members of the civil society.