When grunge music was born in Seattle, more than a decade ago, Dave Grohl, drummer of Nirvana, described the phenomenon as the result of what happens when kids from broken families get their hands on a guitar. However, at the peak of their fame, Kurt Cobain, the lead singer and guitarist, aged 27, took his life. For a generation of people, now aged between 24 and 35, he was their voice and flag-bearer. But, like their hero, this group is the most likely to commit suicide. Like Kobain, they are predominantly male.

Every year, 300 to 400 Mauritians put an end to their lives. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this represents a figure of 18.8 males per 100,000 population and 5.2 females in 2,000. This is one of the highest figures in Africa, although it must be noted that data is pretty scant for our continent. Only four other African countries appear on the WHO radar. Seychelles, with a male rate of 9.1 in 100 000 and nil for females, Zimbabwe, at 10.6 and 5.2 per 100,000 for males and females respectively while Egypt completes the picture with a male suicide rate of 0.2 per 100, 000 and nil for women.

As it is, though Mauritius seems to have the highest suicide rate among these countries, it is difficult to judge on the Africa continent because of the high number of war zones. In fact, paradoxically, war brings down the level of suicide despite the conventional view that conflict is a major source of depression. For example, Northern Ireland saw its suicide rate shoot up since the initiation of the Peace Process in 1998. The ‘Troubles’ brought a sense of community among people in the north of Ireland, which society has found impossible to replicate in times of peace.

<B>Northern depression</B>

Nonetheless, going back to the Mauritian situation, the country hardly figures in the top tier of the WHO table. The Northern hemisphere sees a far higher rate of suicide than its Southern counterpart. This is even more pronounced in the former communist block. In Russia, for every 100,000 men, 69.3 commit suicide, while, among women, the figure is 11.9. Lithuania has an even worse situation with 80.7 in 100,000 males taking their lives and 13.9 in 100,000 females. Furthermore, over 60 Belarusian males and 9.3 females in 100,000 make an attempt on their own lives.

<B>Taboo and shame</B>

In Europe, despite the wealth, suicidal tendencies are very present. Some countries, like Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland in this order, display high suicide rates. In Belgium, 42.6 per 100,000 of the population give up on life every year, while in Austria, the rate is 39.2. However, compared to Europe, the American suicide levels are low, with less than one-third of the Austrian level. Worldwide, the number of people taking their own lives has increased steadily from 1950 to 2000. However, the male rate has had a steeper progression than the female rate. Nearly twice the number of men committed suicide at the dawn of the new millennium compared to half a century earlier. On the contrary, women suicide levels barely changed during that period, with an increase from five to six per 100,000.

In Ireland, a national study was carried in 2001 to determine the causes of suicide among the population. The study revealed the same pattern found elsewhere. Those who chose to die were mostly young men, 40% of them aged under 35. The method of choice for males was hanging, while women most usually drowned themselves. It was also found that the majority were single, separated, divorced or widowed. There was also a disproportionate representation of the unemployed (almost a third of all cases) and the poor in the study.

So, what is it that pushes people to the brink of wanting to take their own lives away? According to the Irish study, mental disorders figured prominently among the reasons, with almost a quarter having previously been diagnosed with depression. On top of that, a quarter of those dead had in the past expressed a suicidal intent. Relationship problems also figured prominently among those who committed suicide. Alcohol was also found to be a problem, with males more prone to misuse or to have taken alcohol before their death.

Suicide is a difficult problem to tackle. First, there is the taboo that surrounds the act. Due to traditions and religion, people are sometimes in denial towards suicide. The problem is often forgotten because it is the antithesis of the structure and conformist strait jacket that society usually places around people. The ‘outcast’ or ‘outsider’ is rarely welcome. Religion itself often views suicide as shameful or an ungodly act. Thus, the families of those who commit suicide are often ostracised. A fractured, cold and less friendly society, which has largely been caused by a materialistic society, has also pushed many to the brink of despair.

In Mauritius, we have the added problem of dealing with mental disorders or rather it is our reluctance to deal with the condition. Mental health is often neglected to the extent that we like to pretend that it does not happen. No government has ever developed a sensible strategy to address the issue. Mental health issues are almost taboo in the country. It is too easy to blame the individual than finding the root cause of the problem. But meanwhile, many of our young people, and mostly men, take their lives every year.

However, we must recognise that there is no straight quick-fix solution for suicide. It is a problem that we have deal with a holistic approach. We also have to stop the breakdown of community relations and the alienation of people. But first, we have to recognise that there is a problem.

<B>Diren VALAYDEN</B>

Outlook Correspondent in Dublin</I>