Perspectives on the decriminalisation of suicide in Pakistan: historical context, societal impacts, and the way forward

Abstract

This Viewpoint provides a comprehensive review of the historical context, legal frameworks, and societal implications associated with the criminalisation of suicide in Pakistan, along with the process that was utilised for the decriminalisation of suicide. The context focuses on the importance of decriminalising suicide, presenting evidence and insights into how the criminalisation of suicide has impacted individuals, families, and the healthcare system. The process of decriminalising suicide in Pakistan focuses on the public awareness strategies, emphasising the key role that the stories of people with lived experience of mental illness played in shifting the societal attitudes and misconceptions related to suicide. Through discussions of the challenges faced in the process of repealing Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), we emphasise the need for continued public awareness efforts to address the religious misconceptions related to suicide. With the implementation of the law still pending, we argue that decriminalising suicide aligns with the development of a National Suicide Prevention Strategy. The Viewpoint also presents recommendations for government representatives, public health professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders to utilise our learnings to develop a robust suicide prevention strategy with a multisectoral approach, strengthening the medical system to respond to mental health emergencies.