Is it time for honest discussion of suicide in Myanmar? Blaming social media will not address depression and lack of mental health services.

Jamie

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Medic blames online bullying for suicide
Ei Thinzar Kyaw
Eleven
08/13/2016

At least two or three out of 100,000 people in Myanmar committed suicide a year and most of them were aged between 25 and 40, said Tin Oo, professor of Mental Health Department of No.1 Medical University in Yangon.

Tin Oo, who is also the project manager at Yangon's Mental Health Hospital, said: “At least two or three people per 100,000 committed suicides a year in Myanmar. I say the least because some suicides were not officially recorded.
“The social media can either prevent suicides or lead to them. For example, someone can get comfort or be bullied through the social media. Education and raising awareness through the media can be help prevent these tragedies,” said the doctor.

"The World Health Organisation [WHO] estimated that Myanmar had an annual rate of about 13 suicides per 100,000 people. Mental health, drug addiction, social and economic problems, customs and traditions are key reasons behind those suicides,” Tin Oo said.

The WHO says 75 per cent of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2012. Suicide accounted for an estimated 1.4 per cent of all deaths worldwide, making it the 15th most significant cause of death in 2012.

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/5651