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‘Copycat’ suicides rise in Kashmir as bridge jump attempts spark alarm

  • Abid Bashir
  • Comments 0
  • 26 Apr 2026

Such acts getting glamourised, wrong reporting contributing: Mental health expert • Two incidents in 24 hours • 300-400 deaths annually • Youth aged 15-30 most affected • Tele-Manas proving effective in prevention • WHO warns against sensational reporting

Srinagar, Apr 25: A disturbing trend is unfolding in Kashmir, where suicide attempts, particularly among young people, are increasing and taking more visible forms. In 24 hours, Srinagar reported two such cases, including that of an 18-year-old boy who jumped from Budshah Bridge, followed by another incident.

In the second case, a 27-year-old youth attempted to end his life using a similar method, but swift action by the SDRF team ensured his timely rescue. Speaking to Rising Kashmir, senior consultant at Government Psychiatric Hospital Srinagar, Dr Muhammad Abrar Guroo, said suicide attempts are showing an increasing trend in Kashmir.

“On a daily basis, our OPDs see a rise in cases of youth, including teenagers, consuming pesticides in a bid to end their lives,” he said.

He added that the mental health helpline Tele-MANAS has also been receiving a large number of calls related to suicidal tendencies. “The good thing is that we have been able to prevent suicides through counselling, including video counselling,” he said. 

According to available data and estimates, J&K records around 300–400 suicide deaths annually, though experts believe the actual number may be higher due to underreporting. A majority of cases involve youth between 15 and 30 years.

Poisoning, especially pesticide consumption, remains the most common method, followed by hanging. Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in cases of jumping from bridges and other public places, particularly in urban areas like Srinagar. When asked about the recent cases involving bridge jumps, Dr Guroo said it is not the location but the mental health condition of individuals that must be addressed.

“It is not the bridge that needs to be blamed, but the mental health and stress levels of those taking such extreme steps,” he said. He, however, expressed concern over the way suicides are being reported and shared on social media. 

“Wrong reporting and misuse of social media are contributing to an increase in such cases. Suicides are getting glamourised in Kashmir,” he said. “Earlier, most people ended their lives in private—by hanging or poisoning. Now, some are choosing public methods like jumping from bridges, which attract more media attention and coverage,” he said.

Dr Guroo linked this pattern to the ‘Werther effect’, where exposure to suicide-related content leads to imitation among vulnerable individuals. The term originates from the novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, after which a surge in similar suicides was reported in Europe.

He stressed that reporting suicides can act as a trigger for individuals already struggling with mental health issues and called for strict adherence to guidelines laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

“Reporting suicides can also lead to stigmatisation of families who have lost their loved ones. Media must act responsibly and follow WHO guidelines in spirit,” he said. 

Experts say the situation calls for urgent attention, with a focus on strengthening mental health services, promoting awareness and ensuring responsible media practices to prevent further loss of lives.

 

 

 

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