RISING SUICIDE RATES IN GILGIT BALTISTAN: AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study examines the increasing incidence of suicide in Gilgit Baltistan in the last decade. It brings to fore the explanations offered by the family, relatives and the community for this phenomenon. Qualitative research method was employed to investigate fifteen suicide cases with in-depth interviews as the main data collection tool. Our results confirm Durkheim’s theory of suicide wherein he suggests that weak integration and strict regulation in society potentially leads to suicides. In Gilgit Baltistan this view holds true as weak integration and strict regulation has led to increase of suicides.