Ganderbal hospital receives 60-90 patients every week with death wishes: MS Dr. Farah Shafi

Kashmir Happenings

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-09-10 19:50:07 | Last Updated by admin_kas on 2025-09-10 23:09:23

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'Substance abuse a major contributing factor in it'

KS News Desk

Srinagar, Sept 10: In a startling revelation, as many as 60 to 90 patients visit Ganderbal every week with death wishes while dozens report suicidal thoughts with the doctors.

This was revealed by the Medical Superintendent (MS) District Hospital Ganderbal Dr. Farah Shafi in her presentation at an event organised at Central University of Kashmir (CUK) to observe World Suicide Prevention Day-2025.

The event was organised by Health Centre and Department of Students Welfare (DSW) of Central University of Kashmir (CUK) on the theme “Changing The Narrative on Suicide.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK).

 In her power point presentation, MS District Hospital Ganderbal said that around 300 to 350 patients visit the hospital for every week for different treatments out of which 20 to 25 percent patients express death wishes while 10  to 15 percent of them show suicidal ideation and around seven percent having attempted suicide.

“Suicide is not just a statistic—it is a heart breaking loss of lives, dreams, and futures,” she said.

She stressed that suicide was preventable and called for collective responsibility of society to play their role.

“Each of us has a role to play—a kind word, a listening ear, or a small act of compassion can save a life. Together, we can replace silence with conversation, despair with hope, and isolation with connection," she said.

She also highlighted substance abuse as a major contributing factor, noting the rising risks associated with heroin and cannabis misuse

Addressing the participants, Assistant Prof. of religious studies, Dr. Nazir Ahmad urged students to anchor themselves in the present moment rather than being consumed by regrets of the past or anxieties about the future.

“Life becomes meaningful when we choose to live in the ‘now’ with gratitude and positivity," he said.

He said a healthy thought process enables us to accept what we cannot change and focus instead on what we can build today.

“Let us stop being anxious about the uncontrollable and invest our energies in positive action and constructive thought,” he said.

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