**Wave of Suicides Sparks Alarm and Urgent Calls for Mental Health Support in Chitral**
A surge of suicides in Chitral has left the local community in shock, as four individuals—three women and one man—died by suicide in separate incidents over just two days. The series of tragedies, which all involved victims jumping into rivers, has prompted an outpouring of grief and renewed calls for urgent mental health interventions in the remote northern district.
The first incident took place in the bustling Chew Bazaar, where a teenage girl ended her life in a public setting. Eyewitnesses noted that she purchased food from a shop before proceeding calmly onto a bridge and jumping into the river below. Her body was later recovered and returned to her family after necessary medical procedures. Authorities revealed that her family had only recently relocated to the town from Upper Chitral, and have initiated a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
In a separate case, a newly married man from Raman village in the Laspur Valley also reportedly jumped into the river just three days after his wedding. His sudden death has left the local community stunned. Police confirmed the incident and stated that efforts are ongoing to recover his body.
The third suicide occurred in the Nisur Gol area of Mastuj, where a married woman ended her life in a similar manner. Her body was retrieved soon after the incident. Investigators are currently examining her personal and family situation to understand possible motives for her actions.
The fourth case involves a grade 9 student from Kusht village in the Morkho area of Upper Chitral, who had returned home on summer vacation from her school in Islamabad. The schoolgirl allegedly jumped into the river, and search teams are actively working to locate her body, which remains missing.
This disturbing pattern has raised serious concerns about the mental health and emotional well-being of Chitral’s residents, particularly among youth and women in these remote mountain areas. The close succession of these incidents has highlighted the urgent need for robust mental health support services, counseling, and crisis intervention infrastructure throughout the region.
Police authorities report that investigations in all four cases are ongoing to determine the underlying factors, though no evidence of foul play has emerged. Officials and local activists agree that deep-rooted social, psychological, and economic issues must be addressed to prevent further tragedies and to support vulnerable individuals in the community.
