Kathmandu, Aug. 22 -- On Tuesday morning, the body of 45-year-old Bacchu KC was discovered on the second floor meeting hall of the National Planning Commission building in Singha Durbar. KC had poisoned himself, leaving behind a suicide note.

KC's suicide is the latest in a string of such deaths. Over the past two months, four public officials, including KC, and one journalist are believed to have taken their own lives.

"Suicide is a major health concern," said Basu Dev Karki, a psychiatrist at the Mental Hospital in Lagankhel. "Police data shows that the number of people committing suicide is increasing, but the actual number may be even higher, given that not all cases get reported to the police."

Over 5,000 Nepalis commit suicide ev...