Police say the suicide by a Kingfisher pilot in Chennai a few days ago could be out of fear of retrenchment just a few days before his contract would end.

28-year-old Krishna Narayanan, who was found dead in his Chennai apartment last Sunday, was depressed as his contract with Kingfisher Airlines was going to end on November 30.

Friends and family say his flying hours had come down and he feared losing his high-paying job.

"His sister had reassured him that in that case he could come to the US and find employment," said P Sakthi Velu, Joint Commissioner, South Chennai.

Pilots reveal salary cuts have touched 30 per cent, but worse, they fear that it could also affect their performance.

"For pilots particularly, such feeling of insecurity is not at all good for flight safety," said Captain Sabu, a pilot.

With rise in depression cases after the slowdown, psychiatrists say colleagues can help overcome suicidal tendencies by just being there for each other.

"They could form self support groups, befriending each other, understanding and helping each other. That could be effective," said Rangarajan, a psychiatrist.
 
This tragedy indicates to what extend fear of job losses or salary cut could drive people even when it comes to a profession that's highly in demand.