We must break the silence on suicide prevention in India

Source: The post is based on the article “We must break the silence on suicide prevention in India” published in Live Mint on 20^th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Social Issues – Problems associated with Health

Relevance: Measures needed to prevent suicides in India and address mental health issues

News: The author, associated with Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI), emphasizes the importance of suicide prevention and improving mental healthcare access in India, especially for marginalized communities.

What are some of the findings related to suicide in India?

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2021, more than 160,000 people in India died by suicide. This number has been increasing in the past decade.

Moreover, these numbers are likely lower than the actual problem due to underreporting and social stigma.

Hence, a rise in the suicide rates show that there is an urgent need to prioritize suicide prevention in India.

What are the issues with suicide prevention in India?

Suicide in India is often viewed as an individual problem rather than a social issue, especially in the media.

Hence, it becomes important to present suicide as a societal issue that requires collaboration from government, healthcare, non-profits, workplaces, mental health experts, and communities.

Additionally, there is also a need to recognize that marginalized communities face extra challenges in preventing suicides.

Must Read: The suicide cluster in Kota is a public health emergency

What efforts have been taken to prevent suicides?

National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS): India launched its first National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) in November 2022, in cooperation with MHI experts. The NSPS emphasizes valuing lives and providing support, recognizing the complexity of suicide and the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration among different government departments.

Inclusion in the G20 Agenda: MHI collaborated with Civil20 India to include suicide prevention and mental health in C20 recommendations. As a result, both topics made their way into the G20 agenda for the first time and were also addressed in the G20 health declaration.

What more can be done to prevent suicides?

First, there is a need for a holistic approach to suicide prevention that includes both psychological support through counseling and enhanced access to social resources such as employment, healthcare, and education.

Second, there is a need to end the stigma around mental illness and make sure that everyone in India has access to mental healthcare as a basic right.