On Tuesday, a young woman attempted to take her own life by jumping off the Laos-Japan Bridge in Champasack Province.
This is the latest in a series of suicide attempts on the same bridge that have claimed the lives of at least four people since September last year.
This time around, fortunately, a group of fishermen were nearby and managed to rescue the woman from the Mekong River.
Eyewitnesses say the woman, who is believed to be in her twenties or thirties, jumped from the northern side of the bridge at around 5:40 pm.
In March, authorities reported two fatalities and one suicide attempt at the same location. These incidents follow the tragic death of Mor Lam singer Inteng Keobouala, who took her own life by jumping from the bridge in September 2022, after suffering from severe financial difficulties.
Concerns have been raised about “suicide contagion,” a phenomenon where vulnerable individuals are exposed to and influenced by a rise in suicides. Members of the public have called for more support and resources for individuals struggling with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts on social media.
This could include counseling, therapy, and suicide prevention hotlines, as well as promoting mental health awareness and reducing the stigma around seeking help.
A religious ceremony was also held at the bridge last week to purify negative spirits and was attended by family members of the deceased.
