Suicide cases increase, many of them young people

Suicide cases increase, many of them young people

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

This January, there were an alarming 18 suicide attempts in
Jakarta, most of them successful.

In comparison, the Jakarta Police recorded six suicide
attempts in December 2003. And in the first six months of last
year, the police recorded 62 attempts.

The data showed that of the suicide attempts in January, the
motives varied. Those who carried out the attempts ranged in age
from 16 to 40, with 10 people in their 20s.

Of the 18 suicide attempts, two were unsuccessful. In one
case, a newlywed man attempted to shoot himself, but the bullet
only creased his forehead. In the other case, a man attempted to
hang himself but was discovered in time to save his life.

Most of the reasons that drove these people to take their own
lives might seem trivial to others. For example, a 30-year-old
man ended his life because he could no longer live with the
asthma that had plagued him for some time, while a 16-year-old
boy killed himself after breaking up with his girlfriend.

What drove these people to commit suicide?

"Loneliness, social alienation, not having someone to share
their problems with ... those who commit suicide usually tend to
hold their problems in, introverted individuals," noted
psychologist Sartono Mukadis told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

"One should pay more attention to individuals who suddenly
withdraw from social life," he said.

Discussing the recent suicide of a maid in West Jakarta,
Sartono said the village woman likely used to have a healthy
social life and could not bear the loneliness of her new urban
surroundings.

"Imagine, after she finished her chores around the house, she
did not have anybody with whom she could discuss her feelings."

Unlike in other countries where the state and non-governmental
organizations provide counseling hot lines, it is difficult for
those Jakartans who need it to receive professional help.

Sartono said the community itself had to be responsible for
preventing suicides.

"For example, radio stations can air programs where people can
call in and have somebody listen to their problems.

"Or just watch out for anybody in your neighborhood or around
you who suddenly withdraws, daydreams all the time, stares
blankly or locks himself up.

"Talk to them and listen to their problems," Sartono said.