Why India Needs a National Suicide Prevention Policy Now
Suicide is a growing concern in India, especially among young adults. The 2023 National Crime Records Bureau data highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive suicide prevention policy. This article explores the importance of mental health screening, psychological autopsies, and community involvement in preventing suicides.
Suicide PreventionMental HealthNcrbPsychological AutopsiesEducational InstitutionsReal Estate MumbaiOct 02, 2025
Suicide has emerged as the most common cause of death among 15-29-year-olds in India. Various interventions can be considered, but periodic voluntary screening for emotional disability should become a norm in every educational institution. For instance, if the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) can allocate significant funds for tech fests, why not encourage mental health fests?
In my experience working with educational institutions, both private and municipal schools, a simple exercise of giving blank chits to every student to write anonymously about their feelings has yielded surprising results. At least one to three students often express a desire to die. When this happens, we try to trace these students through their handwriting and provide them with the necessary counseling.
A proper mapping of migrant workers or those who have become invisible on the margins is now a necessity. Lawmakers should encourage conversations on mental health and develop programs to address these issues. We need comprehensive data, including rural and urban statistics, gender differences, caste, and religion, to better understand the phenomenon of self-harm. According to NCRB data, 67% of suicide victims were married, while 26.1% were unmarried, indicating that marriage is no longer a protective factor.
Poorly-addressed interpersonal issues, family quarrels, financial issues, depression, and violence are common causes of suicide. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found that the causes attributed to suicides are often unscientific, as they are largely reported by the police, family, and neighbors. Mental health professionals are rarely involved, and a psychological autopsy is almost never conducted.
Psychological autopsies involve mapping a person’s life backwards, checking their social media feed, reviewing their medical reports, and conducting detailed interviews with close friends, teachers, neighbors, and significant others. This is a standard procedure in the armed forces and should be extended to civilian suicides to develop a comprehensive suicide prevention policy.
When the 2024 NCRB data is released, it should include detailed information on suicides across every taluka, with a breakdown of gender, caste, and religion. This will make the dataset meaningful and not just a report to be shelved in libraries. As my late mentor, Professor NN Wig, used to say, the mental health revolution is too important to be left to mental health professionals alone. We need more hands on deck to prevent a suicide epidemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common cause of death among 15-29-year-olds in India?
Suicide is the most common cause of death among 15-29-year-olds in India, according to the 2023 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.
What is a psychological autopsy and why is it important?
A psychological autopsy involves mapping a person’s life backwards, checking their social media feed, reviewing medical reports, and conducting detailed interviews with close friends, teachers, neighbors, and significant others. It is important for developing a comprehensive suicide prevention policy.
How can educational institutions help in suicide prevention?
Educational institutions can conduct periodic voluntary screening for emotional disability and encourage mental health fests. Simple exercises like giving blank chits to students to write anonymously about their feelings can yield valuable insights.
What kind of data is needed to better understand the phenomenon of self-harm?
Comprehensive data, including rural and urban statistics, gender differences, caste, and religion, is needed to better understand the phenomenon of self-harm and develop effective prevention strategies.
Why is marriage no longer a protective factor in preventing suicide?
According to NCRB data, 67% of suicide victims were married, while 26.1% were unmarried. This indicates that marriage is no longer a protective factor against suicide.
Related News Articles
RERA Cases Weekly Round-Up: Relief for Homebuyers Across India
From refund orders to structural defect rectification
Gurugram Leads Housing Price Surge, Mumbai Lagging Behind
In the last five years, the average price of new housing projects in India’s top 10 cities has surged by 88%, with Gurugram leading the pack at a 160% increase. Mumbai, on the other hand, has seen the lowest rise at 37%. This surge is attributed to massiv
Anant Raj Reports 75% Increase in Net Profit for Q2 FY25
Anant Raj has announced a significant 75% increase in its net profit for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2025. The company also reported a 53.67% rise in its net consolidated total income. This robust growth is a testament to the company's strategic
DLF JV Firm Sells IT Park in West Bengal's Largest Real Estate Deal for Rs 637 Cr
In a significant move, DLF, the country's largest real estate developer by market cap, has completed the sale of an IT park in West Bengal for Rs 637 crore. The deal, involving a joint venture firm, marks one of the largest real estate transactions in the
Eleganz Interiors Files DRHP with NSE Emerge
Eleganz Interiors plans to use Rs 25 crore from the IPO proceeds to repay a portion of its outstanding borrowings, as it files its DRHP with NSE Emerge.
Tata Steel Slapped with Rs 146 Mn Fine for Delay in Stamp Duty Payment
Tata Steel, one of India's leading steel producers, has been penalized with a fine of Rs 146 million by the Maharashtra government for failing to timely pay the stamp duty. The fine, as per the company's exchange filing, highlights the importance of adher