46 cases in six months

Rising suicide rates in Dhi Qar spark concern

2024-08-10 | 19:43

DHI QAR — A 15-year-old girl tragically ended her life on Saturday at her home in the Rifai district, northern Dhi Qar governorate, local authorities reported.

A security source disclosed to 964media that the girl was discovered inside her residence. The exact motives for her suicide remain unclear.

Following the incident, her body was moved to the forensic department for examination, and police have initiated an investigation to uncover the details of her death.

Suicide incidents in Dhi Qar have seen a concerning rise, positioning the governorate just behind Maysan for the highest suicide rates in Iraq over the last three years. Contributing factors include dire living conditions, drug abuse, and a critical shortage of mental health professionals. In the first half of this year alone, the region recorded 46 suicides, with nearly equal numbers of male and female victims.

In response, the community police have established a hotline, numbered 497, to handle calls related to suicide prevention urgently.

Ahmed Majid, the director of community police, told 964media, “Key factors driving suicides include drug use, social issues, and intense parental pressure on youths to perform well academically. Economic hardships are also a significant contributor.”

He noted that the prevalent suicide methods in the area range from overdosing on medication or pesticides to more violent means such as jumping from heights, self-immolation, drowning, and the use of firearms.

Dakhel Abdul Hussein, President of Dhi Qar’s Human Rights Commission, remarked, “The suicide rates have surged alarmingly in Dhi Qar. Last year we noted 102 cases, and this year, in just six months, 46 cases.”

He also expressed concerns about the impact of extremist groups, including the Shia faction “Al-Alaahiyah,” also known as “Al-Qurban,” which advocates for extreme acts such as committing suicide during religious observances and idolizes Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib to a divine level, contrary to mainstream Shia Islam beliefs. This group’s radical stance has led to several suicide cases in the region, and authorities have arrested multiple members.

Abdul Hussein highlighted that the northern districts, especially around Shatra, report the highest rates of suicide within the governorate. The lack of psychiatric professionals and prevailing cultural stigmas against seeking mental health care exacerbate the situation, making it difficult for many to obtain necessary help.