IS IT TIME TO DECRIMINALIZE SUICIDE IN PAKISTAN? A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract

The issue of decriminalization of suicide in order to increase the access to mental health care has been gaining the attention of mental health professionals, authorities, law makers and policy makers in Pakistan. The bill to decriminalize attempted suicide has been once again presented in the Senate of Pakistan and the matter is now with standing committee of the National Assembly of Pakistan for further evaluation. Mental health professionals throughout the globe and especially in Pakistan have strongly advocated to repel punishment for attempted suicide however they have rarely considered this phenomenon in the wider context. This critical review has presented a divergent position and arguments in the light of inclusivity, epidemiological data, possible alternatives, and unanticipated consequences. We proposed rather than repelling punishment for attempting suicide, health care system should be legally liable to respond and to provide physical and mental health treatment to people who attempt suicide. Based on detail examination of this matter, the main problem lies in the lack of availability of treatment, lack of awareness and stigma associated with overall mental illness.