Rising Suicidal Rates in India: The Need for Compassion, Hope, and Knowledge of Mental Health

News Desk, News Nation 360 : The topic of suicide is still highly stigmatised even with greater mental health awareness, with victims typically viewed as outcasts. More than 720,000 global suicide deaths are reported yearly by the World Health Organisation, and there is a troubling increase in student suicides—India saw more than 13,000 student suicides in 2022, representing 7.6% of the country's suicides. Pragya Priya Mondal, Clinical Psychologist, Monoshij – A Mental Health Unit Of Techno India Group, has discussed about this. Research points to Indian students having a high rate of depression: 62% of medical and 36% of engineering students said they were depressed in 2020, and 122 suicides by medical students over the last five years, although the true numbers could be higher. A long-term, empathetic strategy is needed to prevent suicide, which goes beyond prevention but encourages love for life and hope. These include building emotionally supportive settings, teaching parents and officials to be nurturing and not shame students, raising sensitivity to youth needs, lowering stigma over suicidal behaviour, and implementing tougher anti-bullying legislation because of the close connection between bullying and suicide. Psychological assistance programs, such as one-on-one counselling and stress management courses incorporated into school curricula, are necessary. Oversimplifications commonly attribute teenage suicide primarily to the pressure of schoolwork, but shame about academic performance—calling failure personal worthlessness—has a significant part to play, creating fear, burnout, and avoidance. Suicidal feelings often result from this toxic shame, which can also ensnare attempt survivors in a self-perpetuating loop. Apart from schoolwork, bullying, family problems, rejection, relationship difficulties, and impulsiveness also have a major role to play. Suicidal ideation typically starts from wishes not to burden others but escalates into helplessness and hopelessness, characterised by signs such as mood changes, withdrawal from social interactions, anxiety, lack of drive, loss of interest, irritability, and difficulty concentrating—the hallmarks of depression that increase suicide risk. India experienced a steep rise in suicides among children and adolescents since 2014, with more than 10,000 fatalities in 2021 and sustaining upward trends. Among married persons, suicide occurs more frequently (8.5 per 100,000) than among unmarried (4.1 per 100,000) because of family obligations, marriage conflicts, financial pressures, work-life imbalance, and domestic violence. Spousal support systems, nondefensive communication, social support, and professional counselling services can bring much relief. Marriage and couples therapy give a person conflict-resolution and communication skills, and put self-care at the core of maintaining healthy relationships and mental health. Overall, fostering positive environments and decreasing stigma are essential to preventing suicide and promoting hope and resilience.

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