MYANMAR: Civilians Resort to Suicide as Myanmar Junta Steps Up Attacks

Irrawaddy-Feb 16

At least four people in Sagaing Region’s Kantbalu District have killed themselves over the past year due to mental trauma caused by junta raids, according to local sources. Junta troops and affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militias have subjected locals to frequent raids in the past year, detaining and torturing residents, abducting them for ransom, making death threats, and torching their homes.The four suicide victims were males aged between 40 and 50, who killed themselves after being tortured or witnessing family members abducted for ransom, according to sources. A volunteer helping displaced people said: “Many locals are in deep distress as [junta troops] are killing innocent civilians and destroying their property for no reason. Some have committed suicide because of the excessive fear caused by trauma.” Rescue foundations report that suicides in Myanmar, including Yangon, have surged in the two years since the coup. Depression tops the list of mental problems in Myanmar and is the condition most associated with attempted suicide, according to psychiatrists. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/civilians-resort-to-suicide-as-myanmar-junta-steps-up-attacks.html