17-year-old attempts suicide in UAE, police spring into action

Sharjah - Police said that such incidents have spiked during the last three years.

Panic gripped the residents of Al Nahda when a 17-year-old girl went up to her building's terrace and threatened to commit suicide by jumping from there.
The rattled onlookers - gathered outside the building - informed the police about the suicide bid. A rescue unit from Al Bhairah police station and patrol swung into action and rushed to the site with an ambulance. They saw the girl - an Arab - standing on the edge of the terrace wall and screaming she would take her own life.
The team secured the surroundings of the building and sent some officers to the terrace, while others started talking with the girl to persuade her to come down.
After a two-hour dialogue with the girl, the team managed to prod her to change her mind and retrace her steps. The officers brought her down from the roof and provided her with psychological support. They kept her in their custody to complete the legal procedures.
Police officials said they don't know what drove the girl to attempt suicide. The family members have also been taken into custody for interrogation, they said.
Police said that such incidents have spiked during the last three years, as many teenagers threaten suicide due to growing family issues and discords.
They called on families and guardians to understand the problems of their children, especially adolescents, and deal with them in a judicious manner, while discussing their concerns in an amicable way.

• UAE
• Sharjah