India reports highest youth suicides in the world with 41% of all suicides in India being done by youth under the age of 30 (as per 2022 NCRB Report).
Causes of Youth Suicides in India
• Higher Unemployment: Overall Unemployment Rate of 3-5% vs. 15-29% in Youth.
• Mental Health Crisis: over 50% youth (18-24) reported poor mental health.
• Relationship problems such as family disputes, love affairs and marriage-related stress, contributed to nearly 50% of all suicide among young adults (18–30).
• Cultural Norms: patriarchal structures disproportionately affect women, e.g. dowry, domestic violence, barriers to education and jobs etc.
• Others: academic pressure, debt, invalidated help-seeking, social discriminations, etc.
Way Ahead
• Structural changes: like economic development, urbanisation and educational reform to fulfill youth aspirations.
o E.g. these steps helped China reduce its suicide rate since the 1990s.
• Gatekeeper Training: Community members, e.g. teachers must be trained to recognize warning signs likesocial withdrawal.
• Social Empowerment: E.g. promote gender equality, dilute caste structures (e.g. new UGC Guidelines against caste discrimination on campuses), etc.
• Others: Restricting access to means such as anti-suicide fans in Kota, inclusion of emotional regulationand life skills in curriculum, etc.
Initiatives taken in India• National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022): India's first dedicated policy aimed at reducing suicide mortality through multi-sectoral collaboration. • Tele MANAS: A 24/7 toll-free mental health rehabilitation helpline. • National Mental Health Programme: Centralized framework to provide mental health services and reduce the treatment gap. |
