Biography
Biography: Usha Kiran Subba
Abstract
Suicide in Nepal has become a major national issue highlighted by a series of high profile suicides in recent years. Nepal has an estimated 6,840 suicides annually or 24.9 suicides per 100,000 people and it is ranked 7th by suicide rate globally by the 2015. For women in particular, the under reporting of suicides and suicide-attempts may be caused in part by a culture of silence, especially in cases related to domestic abuse. In 1998 and 2008, suicide was found to be the leading cause of death amongst women of reproductive age in Nepal. Precipitants were postulated to include lack of education, being married poverty, gender-based violence and belief in karma. There is a significant rise in the number of people committing suicide, after the devastating earthquake of April 25 and subsequent strong aftershocks. Following the 2015 earthquakes, media reports and field site visits have indicated a possible increase in suicides. Suicide is currently the leading cause of death for Nepalese women aged 15-49. Suicide is illegal in Nepal and is punishable by fines and imprisonment. Because of legal and social system suicide may continue to be under-reported even if social and legal issues were to be resolved. Mortality and morbidity study and poisoning (6503-cases), is the second and jumping from the cliff (289-cases), is the third method in Nepal.