Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha calls for breaking the silence to prevent suicide

With 110 suicide‑related cases recorded between January to August this year in Fiji, the country's largest Hindu organisation, Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha is calling on temples, spiritual leaders, priests, community organisations, elders, parents, and youth leaders to break the silence.

Sabha National President, Dhirendra Nand highlights that the 63 deaths and 47 attempts reflect warning signs that were there but ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood.

He further highlights the devastating reality for the Hindu community and all families of Indian heritage in Fiji, adding that alarming figures are seen among people of Indian descent, with 41 suicides and 33 attempts recorded this year alone.

Nand emphasises that shame, stigma, broken family bonds, financial hardship, loneliness, emotional neglect, and fear of judgement are driving many into isolation and despair.

He stresses that this crisis cannot be solved by Government alone, and that prevention begins at home in families, villages, schools, places of worship, and workplaces.

Nand urges members of the public to speak to a family member, trusted friend, religious leader, counsellor, or doctor if they are struggling, stressing that they should not carry the pain alone.