72 people in Khost province committed suicide in 2024.
Local officials in the province said that 38 men and 34 women took their own lives, most of whom were young.
Abdul Halim Haidar, the head of security at the Khost security command, stated: “In the past year [2024], 72 suicide incidents occurred in Khost. According to the information, 38 were men and 34 were women. The causes of these incidents include domestic violence, mental health issues, and sorcery.”
Sher Gul, deputy head of the Khost Public Health Department, said: “Suicide incidents mainly occur due to mental stress among young people. We have launched various programs to prevent these incidents, and the most effective way is through sermons to raise public awareness.”
Domestic violence, mental health issues, and other factors have been cited as the main reasons for these suicides.
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Meanwhile, doctors in Khost stressed that individuals with mental illness need serious attention and special treatment. According to them, family support and assigning small responsibilities to these individuals can be beneficial.
“A person who has suicidal thoughts needs trust, stability, and attention. Their concerns should be heard, and they should be reassured. Such individuals require a lot of love and should be given small responsibilities to keep them engaged,” said Imran Angez, a doctor in Khost.
Residents of Khost believe that creating job opportunities can help reduce and prevent suicide cases, especially among the youth.
“Suicide cases have increased. Young people in Khost or other provinces should not take their own lives. They should struggle and at least find a job to stay busy,” Sayedullah Elham, a resident of Khost, told TOLOnews.
According to health officials, many people suffering from mental illnesses turn to traditional healers, fortune-tellers, and shrines instead of seeking medical treatment in health centers.
This news is sourced from [Tolo News] and is for informational purposes only.
