Celebrating Family day and Mother?s day in the most auspicious month of May would be useless if these opportunities were not seized to ponder upon the problems affecting our dear life-givers and the basic unit of society. Suicide is one of those preventable tragedies, which unfortunately does not seem to draw the same interest and attention as issues like terrorism and road accidents.

Yet it breaks many a mother?s heart, wrecks families and society. It strikes our world at the rate of one victim every 30 seconds and claims a million lives per year; for each successful suicide, there are 30 attempts! Out of the 800,000 teenagers who try to kill themselves every year, around 500,000 unfortunately achieve their ends.

Suicide is ?the 13th leading cause of death worldwide. Among those aged 15-44, self-inflicted injuries are the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and the sixth leading cause of ill health and disability?. (WHO99).

In countries like Canada, suicide victims largely exceed traffic fatalities. Even in tiny Mauritius, official comparative figures speak volumes. For instance, in 2003, road accidents claimed 121 lives while suicide struck 88 persons. It is worth noting that our island leads the per capita rate of suicide for young females aged 15-24 years with 17.1 cases per 100,000 (nationmaster.com).

Terrorism, mass violence and even road accidents are often linked to suicide. Was the largely covered 9/11 not perpetrated by terrorists ready to lose their lives for their cause? Are there not some road users who deliberately provoke accidents to kill themselves?

The reasons behind suicidal behaviour are varied and complex. They range from poverty, unemployment, family breakdown, lack of self-esteem, perception of being despised by family and friends, exclusion, work-related problems, amongst others. A family history of suicide is a recognised risk factor with both social and genetic correlates. Other predisposing factors include alcohol and drug abuse, a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood, and social isolation. Psychiatric problems, such as depression and other mood disorders, schizophrenia and a general sense of hopelessness also play a central role.? (IASP and WHO).

Our perception of life might also be determining in how we treat our own unique voyage on earth. There is tendency to over glorify success and pleasure to such a point that pain and failure are considered as alien to a life worth living. Yet, failure is but success turned inside out and, without some pain, one can never fully gain. It is most regrettable to find some students attempting to their lives because their exam results do not tally with the expectations of their surroundings.

Access to efficient means to terminate one?s life is also determining in contributing to the tragedy. It is worth noting that, in Canada, 80% of deaths caused by gunshots are suicides. Glorification or trivialization of suicide might lead to copycat cases. This is why the media must always be very careful when they cover this delicate and sensitive issue. Suicide is a worldwide scourge, which needs equally aggressive campaigns and prevention strategies as other social evils. It should not be treated as a taboo. It is a real problem, which might worsen with time unless it is fought adequately. Organizations like Befrienders, which offer an helpline for suicidal persons, should be encouraged. Life has no price, let?s fight to protect it to the end.