Tourists usually travel to Goa to have a fun time, to explore historical sites and partake of the State's gastronomic delights. You would assume they are in the best of spirits when they come here.
However, there have been many cases when tourists have come here, had a mental breakdown, perhaps owing to an ongoing issue or their mental health plummeting acutely, and attempted to take their own life, sometimes fatally.
In 2022, a couple from Nasik attempted to take their lives in a hotel in Goa due to family opposition to their marriage.
A 21-year-old woman from Kerala, who came out as bisexual to her parents, was found dead in Goa in 2020, a presumed suicide, after being forced to undergo conversion therapy.
A French tourist killed her daughter and herself in Goa due to depression in 2016.
This is the regrettable reality, and Goa has been in the news in the past, when sometimes, individuals seemed to travel to Goa expressly to harm themselves.
This is the regrettable reality, and Goa has been in the news in the past, when sometimes, individuals seemed to travel to Goa expressly to harm themselves.
Dr Peter Castelino of COOJ Mental Health Foundation, Mapusa, says that though cases of people coming on holiday and attempting suicide, fatally or not, are not commonplace, there have been instances where people have gone on a holiday to splurge one last time before they die.
Sometimes, moving location is an attempt to diminish the effect on their family and for protection from stigma from the community.
Dr Castelino says, “There no real way of saying what the reason could be. There could be multiple reasons why someone would move to a different location.”
It is a sad fact that despite pleas being made to the government, no efficient mechanism has been set up to help these individuals and natives of the State when they are driven to despair.
On September 10, 2024, COOJ held an online workshop highlighting the growing problem of suicidality and deaths due to suicide in Goa. COOJ Mental Health Foundation is the only non-profit organisation in Goa that has a programme set up that provides a suicide distress helpline (contact +91 6361612525).
With over 7 lakh people taking this drastic step globally every year, India makes up 17 percent of this number. A figure of around 1,39,000 persons died due to suicide in 2019 in India.
With over 7 lakh people taking this drastic step globally every year, India makes up 17 percent of this number. A figure of around 1,39,000 persons died due to suicide in 2019 in India. The figure went up to 1,71,033 in 2022.
The National Council on Aging reports that men who are over 75 years of age have the highest rates of suicide, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) says that for the 15-29 age bracket, it is the third leading cause of death.
The NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) reports that the suicide rate in 2019 in India was 10.4 per 100,000 population. What is even more worrying is that for a tiny state like Goa, it is 16.8 per 100,000 population.
Goa’s high literacy seems to be its Achilles heel, as findings show that the more literate the State, the higher the risk of suicide.
Of those who have died due to suicide, there are more that have at least attempted it or had thoughts about it. The statistics only give us the reported numbers. There are more cases that we have no idea about.
Because of regressive attitudes, many political and bureaucratic leaders conjecture that lack of discipline and flawed parenting are the main reasons creating a suicidal mindset.
Dr Castelino contends how we think about suicide must change. The common notions are that it is a weak mind or mental health issues that are the root problem.
But in Goa, other causes form a considerable percentage responsible for suicidal behaviour.
Because of regressive attitudes, many political and bureaucratic leaders conjecture that lack of discipline and flawed parenting are the main reasons creating a suicidal mindset. This has led to sub-optimal aid being made available to vulnerable individuals.
“Although Goa is much better off overall, there are still pockets that have no access to appropriate care,” says Dr Castelino.
He says conversations need to happen among policy makers, NGOs, the media, government departments, healthcare workers and educationists to increase accessibility to mental health care, detection of suicidality, putting systems in place to build life skills in young people.
The language used to describe suicide related events must not lead to suicide contagion. While the media has become more responsible in its reporting, awareness of how language is used in this area must be maintained elsewhere as well.
The World Health Organisation has an initiative in place to reduce the rates of suicide, called LIVE LIFE: Limit access to means of suicide; Interact with the media for responsible reporting; Foster life skills of young people; Early identification and support.
In 2022, the Government of India aimed to bring about a reduction in suicide deaths through its National Suicide Prevention Strategy scheme by 10 percent by 2030.
With every structure in place, it all boils down to being empathetic towards the despondent individual and alleviating his/her despair in the moment, instead of victim-blaming and shaming.
Individuals with suicidal ideation develop tunnel vision due to the stressors they are experiencing.
It is essential to be there for the person when they ask for help, even if it is just giving them your time and a listening ear. Their problems should not be dismissed, and they should always receive assurance that they are being heard.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can contact COOJ’s distress helpline on +91 6361612525, which is open from 1 pm to 7 pm (Monday to Friday).