A 19-year-old girl committed suicide in Aizawl on Valentine's Day last year after her boyfriend called it quits to their relationship via text message. Though this shocking incident was the only known suicide on a Valentine's Day in Mizoram, failed relationship was found to be the single biggest factor behind youth suicides in this Christian-dominated state during the last few years.
According to New Life Charity Society (NeLICS), an Aizawl-based organisation for mental health, a disturbing 24 per cent of 72 incidents of suicide were committed by lovers who felt rejected. This prompted the organisation to plan an anti-suicide campaign on this year's Valentine's Day. We recorded 72 cases of suicide during last year, of which 24 per cent was caused by failed love affairs.
We need public awareness on this disturbing trend, said Dr Zawmsanga Sailo, secretary NeLICS.
During last year, NeLICS provided counselling to 472 people having suicidal tendency of which were broken-hearted due to failed marriages and love affairs. We have saved a number of dejected lovers from suicides during last year, the NeLICS secretary said.
According to the doctor, the 19-year-old girl who killed herself last year, had talked to a friend over mobile phone in which she shared her problems. As I was walking on the road when she called me, I suggested that we discuss it later in the night.
But, she committed suicide before that could happen, he said. Besides anti-suicide campaign, mass blood donation will mark this year's Valentine's Day in Aizawl.
Under the theme 'Blood For Your Valentine', the V-Day blood donation programme was started by a popular local TV host Zikpuii since two years back. Last year, 340 units of blood were donated under this programme, an increase from 174 units of blood in 2010's Valentine's Day.
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