The Lancet study has analysed data from Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021.
- Study highlighted that at global level one person dies on average every 43 seconds by suicide.
India related Findings
- Suicide death rate: Declined from 18.9 per lakh population in 1990 to 13 per lakh population in 2021. A greater decline was observed for females than men.
- For Females: Declined from 16·8 (1990) to 10.3 (2021).
- For Males: Declined from 20.9 (1990) to 15.7 (2021).
- Most Vulnerable Section: Highest suicide death rates were among educated women in India in 2020, with family problems being the most common factor.
Initiative/Factors responsible for reducing Suicides
- Decriminalization: Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 has decriminalized suicide.
- There is no equivalent section in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) like Section 309 of erstwhile IPC which made suicide a criminal offence.
- National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022): Aims to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.
- WHO’s Mental health action plan 2013–2030: Recognizes the essential role of mental health in achieving health for all people.
- Other initiatives: National Mental Health Policy (2014), SDG target 3.4 (promotes mental health), Toll-free helplines like Manodarpan and KIRAN, etc.
