Increasing Student Suicide Rates in India

Approximately half of India’s 1.2 billion people are
under the age of 26, and by 2020 we are forecast to be the youngest country in the world, with a median age of 29 years. With this tremendous forecast, it becomes imperative to ensure an environment that promotes positive well-being. Unfortunately, India has the highest suicide rate in the world among the youth standing at 35.5 per 100,000 people for 2012, the last year for which numbers are available.

The reason for such high numbers can be attributed to a lack of economic, social, and emotional resources. More specifically, academic pressure, workplace stress, social pressures, modernization of urban centers, relationship concerns, and the breakdown of support systems. Some researchers have attributed the rise of youth suicide to urbanization and the systematic breakdown of the traditional large family support system. The clash of values within families is an important factor for young people in their lives. As young Indians become more progressive, their traditionalist households become less supportive of their choices pertaining to financial independence, marriage age, premarital sex, rehabilitation, and taking care of the elderly.

There is a notable gender difference in the suicidal attempts and completion of suicide. Women are four times more likely than men to attempt suicide (make an attempt but not complete), whereas, men are twice more likely than women to complete the act of suicide. India is quoted to experience the highest rate of suicide among the age bracket of 15-29 years.

Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide in India, which has become the second leading cause of death among young Indians, according to a study.

 One in 4 teenagers in India suffers from depression. And yet, we keep pretending this is not happening in our own homes and schools.

The total number of psychiatrists in India currently is around 9000, which means about 0.75 Psychiatrists per 100,000 population. India requires 2700 new psychiatrists annually to fill in the gap in the next 10 years. However, every year only 700 psychiatrists are trained in PG seats. 

If we look at the allocation of the budget under National Mental Health Programme, it has gotten substantially reduced from 0.44%, of the total budget allocated to MoHFW in 2010 to less than 0.06 percent of the total 65012 crores budget allocated in 2020. If we look at the indirect costs associated with crore-crore mental illness, resulting from loss of productivity, and economic opportunities due to disability, a study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, makes an assumption of loss of productivity in nearly half of the about 13 crore estimated cases of mental illness and estimates an annual loss of Rs.3,43,200 crores to the country due to lack of productivity and depicts that investing in the implementation of MHCA, 2017 by the government will yield 6.5 times return on investment and a conservative estimate of the cost of implementing the same amounts to the tune of Rs. 94,073 crore annually, excluding the cost of infrastructure for implementing agencies and rehabilitation centers and the cost of human resources to run those rehabilitation centers, which would increase it many folds.

The figures published by NCRB indicate a significant increase in the number of suicides committed by students in the last five years.  More than 10,000 students committed suicide in the last two years, which means every day approximately 28 such suicides are reported and that’s alarming. Also, since section 309 of IPC, holds committing suicide as a criminal offense thus, the number could be expected to be much bigger, as often such cases are hidden to avoid investigation.

The biggest challenge is, children are hardly encouraged to express themselves, and obedience is valued more than a child’s interest and sometimes even capacity and can be seen with regard to choices of subjects or career or a life partner. Further, practices like body shaming, bullying, violence, broken or conflict-ridden family, etc. silently depletes inner resources like confidence, sense of worth, self-image, and esteem, which supports the mental resilience of a person.

The striking numbers around youth suicide are shameful!

There is about 1 suicide occurring every 40 seconds across the globe. Together, we must all stand up, speak up, and advocate for better policies and the implementation of resources for mental health. We must view suicide as a condition needing treatment, not as a punishment. A multi-pronged approach must be taken to decrease the world’s suicide rate. mental health education and resources for dealing with symptoms of mental health should be taught and promoted from an early age. Doing so will provide an avenue for the maintenance of dignity and help-seeking behavior.

In India, suicide is more of a social and public health objective than a traditional exercise in the mental health sector. Mental health professionals, doctors, and counselors can be reached out to manage suicidal tendencies. The proactive steps taken by several such professionals in the capacity of leaders have helped and have the potential to help save thousands of lives. There are several organizations, crisis centers, and suicide prevention helplines that are offering great support to the emotionally distressed and those individuals who feel suicidal. Some of the helplines that may be approached in times of need are:

• The Samaritans Mumbai– 022 6464 3267, 022 6565 3267, 022 6565 3247

Email: samaritans.helpline@gmail.com

Address – 402, Jasmine Apartments
Opposite Kala Kendra, Dadasaheb Phalke Road

Dadar (E) 400014
Mumbai

• MINDS Gujarat– +919033837227; info@mindsfoundation.org, Bhavnagar and Vadodara, Gujarat
• Sikkim– 221152, Police Control Room, Gangtok
• iCall– +91 22 2556 3291, e-mail – icall@tiss.edu, Mumbai
• Thanal– 0495 237 1100

E-mail – thanal.calicut@gmail.com

Address – Iqra Hospital
Malamparamba, Calicut 673009
Kerala

• Prathyasa– +91-480 – 2820091

Address – Vidya Jothi
Cathedral Junction
Irinjalakuda 680 685

• Pratheeksha– +91 484 2448830

E-mail – rajiravi2000@hotmail.com

Address – Near Ambedkar Park
Peruvaram Road
North Paravur 683 513
Kerala

      Saath– 079 2630 5544, 079 2630 0222Address – B12 Nilamber Complex

H.L. Commerce College Road

Navrangpura

Ahmedabad 380 006Roshni– 040 790 4646E-mail – help@roshnihyd.orgAddress – 1-8-303/48/21 Kalavathy Nivas

Sindhi Colony

S.P. Road

Secunderabad 500003Lifeline Foundation– +91 33 24637401, +91 33 24637432Address – 17/1A Alipore Road

Sarat Bose Road 700 027

KolkataSumaitri– 011-23389090E-mail- feelingsuicidal@sumaitri.netAddress – Sumaitri

Aradhana Hostel Complex

No. 1 Bhagwan Das Lane

Bhagwan Das Road

New DelhiMaithri– 91- 484 – 2540530E-mail – maithrihelp@gmail.comAddress – ICTA Shantigram

Changampuzha Nagar (P.O.)

Kalamassery

Kochi 682 033Connecting India– 9922001122, 18002094353Website – connectingngo.orgAddress – Connecting Trust

Dastur Girls School

Moledina Road

Pune 411001Nagpur Suicide Prevention Helpline – 8888817666Sneha– 91-44-2464 0050, 91-44-2464 0060E-mail – help@snehaindia.orgAddress – #11, Park View Road

R.A. Puram

Chennai 600028Maitreyi– +91-413-339999Address – 255 Thyagumudali Street

605001

Pondicherry