Mental Health Crisis: Engineer's Suicide Highlights Financial Stress

In Bengaluru, financial distress has been highlighted as a contributing factor in the tragic suicide of Shantagoud Police Patil, a 38-year-old design engineer. According to the Times of India, Patil jumped onto the tracks at Kengeri station around 8:15 AM, directly in front of a train, resulting in his death.

He had recently started working at a private firm in Bidadi, having moved from a previous job in Vadodara, Gujarat, about a year prior. His wife, Preethi, noted that he was experiencing distress over multiple issues, particularly financial ones.

Despite not leaving a death note, police believe depression played a significant role in this incident based on medical reports provided by his wife. The suicide occurred during the morning peak commute, causing disruption to thousands of Namma Metro passengers on the Purple Line, with services suspended for nearly one-and-a-half hours.

BMRCL officials stated that Patil purchased a token before accessing the platform. There have been calls for the installation of platform screen doors to prevent such incidents, yet BMRCL has not committed to this due to operational challenges and costs.

This devastating event underscores the pressing need for improved mental health support and resources for individuals facing financial stress.