Kathmandu, June 27 -- On Sunday evening, Pinky Gurung received a text from her friend Narayani, who said she was depressed. Gurung immediately went to Narayani's rented apartment in Sorakhutte where the two had a heartfelt conversation. Gurung thought that Narayani, a transwoman, was feeling much better. But the next day, when she was unable to reach Narayani on her mobile phone despite calling multiple times, Gurung sensed that something was wrong.

The body of 50-year-old Narayani was discovered by the police early Monday morning. Her death was ruled as suicide.

"Six months ago, Narayani had lost her daughter to suicide. Just when she was trying her best to cope with the grief, the lockdown took a toll on her mental and financial healt...