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.