SIX expatriates have committed suicide in Bahrain this month alone, taking the figure up to 22 so far this year.
The latest incident was a Filipino man who was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his Muharraq home yesterday.
He was the third expatriate to take his own life in the last week, with two Asians reportedly committing suicide last Saturday.
One of the men was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a house in Dar Kulaib, while Indian national Joseph Kati, aged 28, used a piece of cloth to hang himself from the ceiling in a labour accommodation in Durrat Al Bahrain.
“This means at least two expats took their lives every week so far this month, which is shocking,” said Migrant Workers Protection Society chairwoman Marietta Dias.
“From what I know it is very difficult to assess and tabulate the reasons behind these deaths and so are the solutions.
“There was a similar situation a couple of years ago, but somehow it was quiet of late and I am wondering as to why and what could be done.
“A hotline could be an option, but how many people would resort to a hotline when the act is a reaction to a certain situation or a determined one?
“I am sad, and I really wish we can join hands and study the patterns so we can be able to act immediately.”
Ethiopian domestic worker Miskiya Abaraya Abadure, a 35-year-old mother of two, was found hanging from a towel rack inside the toilet of a manpower agency on August 14, while Indian Uthiru Parambil Arshad was found hanging from a ceiling fan inside the kitchen of his apartment in Sitra on August 6.
The GDN previously reported on a double suicide when the bodies of Indian doctors, Dr Shamlina Salim, who was eight months pregnant, and her brother-in-law Dr Ibrahim Rawther were found in the latter’s apartment in Bu Kuwara on August 12.
The Cancer Care Group (CCG), a non-governmental organisation based in Bahrain, said it was looking into re-initiating plans to set up a suicide hotline.
The project was first announced after a similar spate of suicides was reported at the end of last year, when five people – four Indians and one Bangladeshi – had taken their own lives between November 27 and December 8.
“Suicide still continues, and yes, it is not 100 per cent preventable, but indeed a timely intervention during the thought of suicide may prevent it,” said CCG chairman Dr P V Cheriyan.
“That is the role of organisations, social workers and civil societies.
“We, the CCG, have been planning to set up a 24-hour helpline with help from the ministries of Health and Interior and the Psychiatric Hospital, but there has been a delay.
“Hopefully, we will do it soon.”
The other 15 suicides reported since January include 10 Indians, two Filipinos and one Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals each.
Last month, Bangladeshi Shohel Azizul Matubbar and Indian Gurbhej Singh committed suicide, the GDN had reported.
Mr Matubbar, who had been living in Bahrain illegally, was found hanging from a steel pipe on the second floor balcony of a building in Manama on July 13, while Mr Singh was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his home in Hamad Town on July 10.
On June 26, Gurupreet Singh, an employee of Orlando Construction, a company in the midst of a pay row, hanged himself at his labour accommodation.
Three Indians – Sreejith Arippodiyan, domestic worker Saila Pulaparthy and Pramod Koyilerian – hanged themselves on May 1, 2 and 20, respectively, while Indian Vijay Kumar was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his Sanad accommodation on April 24.
Two of the expat suicides involved Saudi residents, both Indian nationals, who took their own lives in Bahrain in April.
On April 11, Indian Anil Kanayam was found on the terrace of his accommodation in Hidd, while the body of football coach Ondayankaryan Thilakan, was found on February 28, three weeks after he went missing in Bahrain.
Filipino Lex Ryan Gonzales Amarilla was also found hanging in his accommodation in Umm Al Hassam on March 14.
Three other suicides involved a Pakistani, a Filipino and a Nepali – and in all cases the victims were men and details remain unknown.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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