Khaleej Times 

DUBAI , Jun 3:  The spiralling cost of living in the UAE is suspected to be one major reason behind the increasing number of Indian expats ending their lives, some counsellors have said.

K.V. Shamsudheen, chairman of Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust, which set up ‘Sandwanam’, a counselling centre, observed that financial crisis was the key problem.

“One of the main factors driving some expats to commit suicide is financial woes. This problem, of late, has been compounded by an astronomical rise in the cost of living in the UAE.”

“Expats, who come here with loads of expectations after paying hefty sums to recruiting agents for obtaining visas, find their dreams shattered when they face the realities of inadequate income or non-payment of salaries, the spiralling living costs in the UAE and the heightened expectations back home,” Shamsudheen said.

“Consequently, expats get into the clutches of loan sharks and many are unable to get out of the vicious circle of loans and debts. The poor living conditions also cause additional psychological problems for them.”

“Many resort to consuming alcohol to forget their sorrows. More debts are incurred as liquor is invariably bought on credit, leading to greater despair among some of them. This creates suicidal tendencies among them,” Shamsudheen observed.

Dr Raj Kumar, a psychiatrist in Sharjah, said a majority of the people who committed suicide in the country were mentally upset because when they left India, they had started off with certain expectations, which remained unfulfilled during all their years of stay here.

“Marital discord due to long working hours and high expectations is also causing psychological problems in some cases,” Dr. Kumar said.

“The absence of an extended circle where expats can share their problems and feelings has given rise to loneliness and socio-psychological problems,” he added.

C.P. Mathew, a volunteer of Valley of Love, a social organisation, said, “we are dealing with suicide cases on a regular basis. Sky-rocketing living costs and high expectations are usually the main cause of this problem.” he said.

Mathew observed that the number of suicides this year was expected to increase by at least 20 per cent compared to last year as many suicides had already been reported this year.

The Indian mission and social organisations have been making all efforts to curb this tendency of Indian expats.

According to a statistics available with the Indian Consulate Dubai, suicide rate among the Indian expats in the UAE had increased by 10 per cent to about 100 suicides in the year 2006 compared to 2005.

B.S. Mubarak, spokesperson of the Indian Consulate said the Indian mission had initiated a Crisis Prevention Program under the umbrella of the Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC).

“Under this programme, a group of qualified and committed psychologists and counsellors are offering counselling services to those suffering from stress and strain problems,” he said. The response to this initiative, he said, was overwhelming.

Every Saturday, people facing emotional issues throng the Consulate for psychological assistance, he added.