With no let up in the death by suicide in India particularly among youth, mental health experts have called for a critical shift in understanding and addressing the trend, emphasising the need to consider socio-economic factors alongside mental health issues.
This comprehensive approach is crucial given the country’s alarming suicide statistics—171,000 lives lost in 2022 alone, said Dr Rakhi Dandona, Professor of Public Health at the Public Health Foundation of India in a new six-paper series published in The Lancet Public Health. It was released on World Suicide Prevention Day marked on Tuesday.
India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy released recently aims to reduce suicide deaths by 10 percent by 2030.
While the strategy focuses primarily on mental health interventions, the authors have highlighted the importance of integrating a wider range of socio-economic factors. Police data suggests that variables like gender, employment, and stressful life events also significantly influence suicide rates.
It includes measures such as establishing effective suicide surveillance systems and integrating mental well-being curricula into educational institutions.
The series outlines six key aspects of a public health approach to suicide prevention. These include examining social determinants and a model that considers how suicide may arise from various social conditions.
Dr Dandona stressed the need for national policies to mitigate economic hardships, such as maintaining minimum wage levels. She also highlighted how exposure to suicide-related information can increase risk, suggesting restrictions on media portrayals of suicide methods to reduce this risk.
One paper in the series notes a correlation between poor economic status and higher suicide rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In India, states with higher unemployment rates show increased suicide rates, especially among men, and unemployment is also a significant risk factor for women.
Another paper discusses the “transmissibility of suicide,” where exposure to suicide-related information can influence others while the fifth paper explores interventions targeting major suicide risk factors, including alcohol use, gambling, domestic violence, and suicide bereavement.
Dr. Dandona pointed out that creating a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their struggles is crucial and stressed the need for these conversations to be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.
Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali too echoed similar views. She noted that suicide is a major public health concern in India. “The government has launched initiatives like the National Mental Health Programme and the Kiran Helpline to address the mental health crisis and prevent suicide. However, greater awareness, access to care, and addressing underlying socioeconomic issues are essential to reducing suicide rates.”
She further said that there is a need to change the narrative of suicide to have open, compassionate conversations that break the stigma surrounding mental health struggles.
“We have to shift the focus from judgment to understanding, and this will eventually encourage people to seek help without fear or shame. By promoting awareness, we can build supportive communities that prioritise mental well-being,” she added.
