Suicide in Myanmar constitutes a critical social and mental health challenge. While the country has historically maintained suicide rates below the global average, recent political conflict specifically the 2021 military coup and the subsequent civil war has precipitated a troubling rise in these figures.
According to data from 2021, the suicide rate in the country stood at 2.89 per 100,000 population, remaining consistent with the rate recorded in 2020 (2.89). [1]
A 2016 analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed a significant gender disparity: the suicide rate among women in Myanmar (9.5 per 100,000) was notably higher than the global average (7.7), whereas the rate for men (5.9) remained below the global average. [2] [3]
The mental health landscape in Myanmar underwent a dramatic deterioration following February 1, 2021, when the military junta, or 'Tatmadaw,' ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and seized power. Researchers have characterized this period as a "war on mental health," where state-sponsored terror and pervasive uncertainty have inflicted deep psychological wounds on the collective psyche of the citizenry. [4] [5]
According to reports by Al Jazeera, an epidemic of rage, resentment, acute despair, and helplessness has swept through the younger generation since the coup. Many young people feel their futures have been stolen. Cherry Soe Myint, a counselor based in Yangon, observed that while suicidal tendencies were rare among her clients prior to the coup, the landscape has shifted drastically; she now notes that 7 out of every 10 patients exhibit suicidal ideation. The junta further exacerbated the crisis by imposing controls on oxygen and life-saving medications during the COVID-19 pandemic and blocking medical aid to opposition-held areas. [6]
An online survey conducted among 7,720 respondents identified a strong correlation between political stance and mental health. Rates of anxiety and depression were found to be significantly higher among those who distrust the military or junta-backed media. The study revealed that 61% of respondents were suffering from probable depression, while 58% were experiencing probable anxiety. Notably, the risk of declining mental health was significantly higher among those who distrust the junta government compared to those who support it. [4]
Following the military operations in 2017, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, seeking refuge in the camps located in Ukhia and Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. Research indicates an extremely high prevalence of depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the Rohingya population living in these camps. One study found symptoms of moderate to severe depression in approximately 30% of Rohingya refugees and PTSD in 4.9%. Another study suggests that the rate of suicide attempts could range from 0.18% to as high as 7.3%. [7] [8]
According to a UNHCR report, a massive shortfall in funding required for 2025 has forced the contraction of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs, compelling organizations like MSF (Doctors Without Borders) to close several mental health clinics. This has further deepened despair among the refugees. In a report titled "The Illusion of Choice," MSF highlighted that the Rohingya in the camps feel they have no control over their futures. This sense of powerlessness and uncertainty is driving them toward suicide. The tendency is particularly pronounced among men who are unable to provide for their families and women who are victims of gender-based violence within the camps. [9] [10] [11]
Studies have shown that depression rates are highest among adolescent girls and young women who have been separated from their parents. Family separation, food insecurity, and a perpetual fear of death are actively eroding their mental stability. [12]
Section 309 of the Penal Code, originally drafted by the British for the Indian subcontinent around 1860, remains in force in the country. Under this law, any person who attempts to commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such an offense shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with a fine, or with both. [13]
The influence of 'Nats,' or spirits, remains extremely potent in the rural life of Myanmar. Mental and behavioral issues, particularly psychosis or incoherent behavior, are frequently interpreted as "Spirit Possession." [14]
Various reports and testimonies from defecting soldiers indicate a rising trend of suicide among the lower ranks of the army. As part of the "Four Cuts" strategy, the junta government is coercing soldiers into committing heinous acts such as torching villages, burning civilians alive, and beheading. Many soldiers are becoming traumatized as a direct result of carrying out these atrocities. [15]
A study has shown that 87.4% of suicide reports published in Myanmar's newspapers provide detailed descriptions of the suicide methods used, which is a direct violation of the World Health Organization's (WHO) media guidelines. Most reports contain the name, photograph, and dramatic details of the deceased, yet information on where to find help or helpline numbers is conspicuously absent. [16]