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A very concerning trend has been observed in Pakistan in recent months: people killing themselves at work or as a result of their jobs. They included a nurse in Bannu, a young school worker in Karachi, a senior police officer in Islamabad, and numerous others from various occupations.
These are not isolated occurrences. In Pakistan's workforce, they reflect a developing mental health crisis where emotional neglect, workplace harassment, and professional stress are subtly driving people to despair.
A Series of Alarming Incidents
A disturbing reflection of the strains ingrained in our professional society is the tragedy of workplace suicide.
Islamabad Police Officer (SP Industrial Area, 2025)
At his official apartment, a highly qualified Superintendent of Police apparently shot himself to death. According to reports, he had just seen a psychiatrist and even submitted an unsuccessful leave application for mental discomfort. The public and the police department were both shaken by this incident, which demonstrated that even those in positions of authority can experience psychological distress.
Usman Ali, Karachi (September 2025)
Allegedly, a 25-year-old private school employee jumped from the eighth floor of the building. Prior to his passing, he listed coworkers who he said had "mentally tortured" him on social media. As a terrible reminder of how bullying and humiliation at work can destroy mental health, the case resulted in a police FIR against the school administration for workplace harassment.
Constable Wasad Nawaz, Gujar Khan (June 2025)
A 35-year-old police officer committed suicide after getting home from duty. He was a father of four who had been seeking therapy for mental health difficulties. The case demonstrated how prolonged stress, trauma exposure, and a lack of psychological support among law enforcement officers can result in disaster.
Utility Stores Employee, Abbottabad (February 2025)
After 13 years of service with the Utility Stores Corporation, an employee committed suicide shortly after being laid off. Job loss, financial insecurity, and identity crises can all be serious psychological shocks, particularly for middle-aged workers with dependent children.
Nurse at Bannu Hospital (June 2025)
A young nurse from Lakki Marwat apparently committed suicide in her hostel room. Her family charged a senior hospital administrator with harassment. These examples demonstrate how toxic hierarchies, gender dynamics, and emotional isolation in healthcare organizations can cause terrible psychological stress.
These heartbreaking stories come from a variety of fields, including education, law enforcement, healthcare, and corporate employment, but they all have one thing in common: occupational stress, a lack of assistance, and cultural silence on mental health.
Understanding the Psychological Dimensions
According to clinical psychology, workplace suicide is not a sudden act; rather, it is the result of long-term psychological anguish. Suicidal ideation emerges gradually from layers of emotional suffering, unprocessed trauma, and cognitive distortions that make the individual feel trapped.
Depression and Hopelessness
Depression is a substantial predictor of suicide. However, in professional settings, depressed symptoms frequently go unrecognized. Many employees continue to work while silently suffering tiredness, low self-esteem, and emptiness.
Clinical psychology emphasizes that hopelessness, rather than grief, is the most damaging component. When people begin to believe that “nothing will ever get better,” they may consider suicide as a method to alleviate their agony.
Burnout and Chronic Work Stress
Workplace burnout is a psychiatric syndrome caused by continuous stress. It emerges as emotional exhaustion, disengagement from work, and feelings of inadequacy. Over time, burnout can blur the distinction between “being tired” and “not wanting to exist.”
For example, jobs such as policing, teaching, and nursing frequently include ongoing exposure to trauma and emotional labor, requiring the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of internal chaos. Without enough mental health breaks or treatment, burnout can lead to suicidal ideation.
Trauma and Emotional Numbness
Police officers, paramedics, and emergency responders are repeatedly exposed to horrific situations. In clinical terminology, this can result in secondary trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When trauma is not addressed through therapy, it promotes emotional numbing, which is a state in which people lose touch with their emotions and act impulsively when distressed. In Pakistan’s police force, where expressing emotions is frequently equated with weakness, untreated trauma is quietly ruining lives.
Workplace Harassment and Learned Helplessness
Psychological harassment, which includes humiliation, gossip, exclusion, and verbal abuse, contributes to a toxic atmosphere that directly influences mental health. Victims frequently develop learned helplessness, a psychological condition in which they no longer believe they can change their circumstances.
The case of the Karachi school employee exemplifies how humiliation and bullying can deprive people of their dignity and authority. Without helpful intervention, the victim’s despondency can become lethal.
Why Is Workplace Suicide Increasing?
The rising trend is multifactorial — rooted in economic, social, and organizational realities:
- Economic Pressure and Job Insecurity: Inflation and unemployment have made maintaining financial stability a daily challenge. Losing a job, as in the Utility Stores case, can result in an existential crisis.
- Cultural Stigma: In Pakistani society, addressing depression or seeking treatment is frequently interpreted as weakness or a lack of faith, discouraging help-seeking.
- Toxic Work Culture: Bullying, unrealistic targets, and lack of empathy normalize emotional neglect.
- Gender and Power Imbalance: Harassment in the workplace, particularly against women, can lead to self-harm.
- Lack of Mental Health Support: Few organizations provide counseling or employee assistance programs, leaving workers to cope on their own.
What Clinical Psychology Teaches Us About Prevention
Clinical psychology provides powerful insights into how workplace suicides can be prevented through awareness, empathy, and early intervention.
1. Recognizing Warning Signs
- Decline in work performance
- Giving away personal items or making indirect references to death
- Expressions of hopelessness (“Nothing matters anymore”)
- Sudden withdrawal or isolation
- Noticeable mood changes
Training managers and HR teams to identify these signals without judgment can save lives.
2. Providing Safe Emotional Spaces
Workplaces must become psychologically safe settings in which employees can express their stress, grief, or irritation without fear of ridicule or reprisal. Confidential counseling rooms, open-door policies, and empathy training can have a significant impact.
3. Mental Health Screenings and Therapy Access
Regular mental health check-ups, like annual physical exams, should be made part of corporate policy. Clinical psychologists can conduct psychological wellness exams and provide on-site or virtual treatment to employees.
4. Promoting Resilience and Coping Skills
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) help people manage stress, reframe negative thinking, and improve emotional regulation. These approaches enable employees to face issues constructively rather than hopelessly.
5. De-stigmatising Mental Health
Workshops, seminars, and awareness events (such as World Mental Health Day) should include open conversations about depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. When leaders — CEOs, principals, and senior officers — publicly discuss mental health, it normalizes help-seeking for everyone.
The Role of Employers and Institutions
Suicide prevention must be embedded into organizational responsibility. Employers should:
- Encourage “mental health days” for rest and reflection.
- Provide 24/7 helplines or connections with mental health professionals.
- Offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) providing free therapy sessions.
- Train supervisors in trauma-informed management and emotional intelligence.
- Implement zero-tolerance policies against harassment.
When workplaces prioritize emotional well-being as much as productivity, they not only save lives — they enhance long-term efficiency, creativity, and trust.
A Cultural and Policy Perspective
Suicide is still a taboo subject in Pakistan, with discussions taking place in whispers or through moral judgment. This silence prevents families and organizations from addressing the underlying issues. Clinical psychology advocates a change from blame to understanding, viewing suicide as a symptom of severe psychological anguish rather than a sin or failure.
Policy Recommendations
- Workplace legislation ensuring protection against harassment and mental health discrimination.
- Mandatory psychological evaluations and counseling for high-stress professions (police, teachers, doctors).
- Government-backed national helpline staffed by clinical psychologists.
- Integration of mental health education in training academies.
If implemented, such measures could significantly reduce suicide risk across Pakistan’s workforce.
The Human Element: Listening and Empathy
Behind every number is a real story about a colleague, friend, or family member who simply couldn't keep going. Listening is one of the most simple but effective preventative methods. Asking someone whether they're okay, expressing genuine concern, or directing them to competent treatment can all prevent a tragic decision.
Clinical psychologists frequently emphasize the importance of connection: when people feel seen, heard, and understood, suicidal thoughts diminish. Compassion is more than just a human value; it is a clinical intervention.
Moving Forward
The rise in workplace suicides in Pakistan is an urgent call to collective contemplation. Workplaces must transform from simply production machines to emotionally supportive communities. Clinical psychologists, organizational leaders, and policymakers must collaborate to foster mental health–inclusive workplaces in which no one feels invisible.
It is time to recognize that mental health is not an option; it is the cornerstone of every successful enterprise and fulfilled individual.
Final Words
Each of the recent tragedies, whether involving a police officer in Islamabad, a school staff member in Karachi, or a nurse in Bannu, serves as a heartbreaking reminder that professional well-being is inextricably linked to mental health.
We may avoid such losses by incorporating psychological safety into workplace culture, encouraging therapy, and normalizing emotional honesty. A workplace that listens, helps, and heals is more than just humane — it is also more sustainable.
