The Indian Embassy last night held an urgent meeting with members from 26 registered associations and community workers to address the issue of increasing number of suicides among workers.

During the meeting chaired by Ambassador Dr Mohan Kumar, one of the recommendations was to start an anonymous hotline to allow Indians to discuss their problems.

"It was proposed to have an anonymous hotline as some people do not want to reveal their identity or contact the embassy and continue to suffer in silence," said Embassy first secretary Nirmal Chawdhary.

He said more than 60 people attended the meeting at the embassy in Adliya to discuss measures to deal with a spate of suicides among Indians.

"Another recommendation was for doctors to interact with workers during medical camps held at various locations. They (doctors) will speak to workers to advise them to share their problems."

The meeting comes after the embassy in its Open House last month discussed measures to help workers.

Mr Chawdhary added that all points will be chalked out for action with the help of Indian associations.

"In addition, we have decided to identify social volunteers who will be trained to provide psychiatric help."

The GDN reported on Wednesday that Indian Taranjit Singh Avtar Singh, 28, ended his life after hanging from a ceiling fan at his home in East Riffa. This was the 30th reported suicide since the start of the year.

More Indians committed suicide in the first six months of the year than during the whole of last year.

Community leaders have said that low- income workers live in isolation and end their lives because of stress, depression and debt.