Increasing suicide cases are a matter of serious concern globally. Every year millions of people around the world lose their lives due to suicide. This problem is also emerging as a major concern in India. According to a new report, the annual rate of student suicide in India has increased rapidly. Based on the data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024, while the number of total suicides has increased by 2% annually, the rate of increase in student suicide cases is more than 4%. This is definitely a matter of concern.
Mental health experts say that having suicidal thoughts is an indicator of serious mental health problems. This also shows that the person has been living in stress-depression for a long time, which if diagnosed and treated in time, the situation could have been prevented from getting worse at this stage.
World Suicide Prevention Day is celebrated every year on 10 September with the aim of making plans for the prevention of increasing suicide at the global level, to make people aware about the effort to prevent suicide through various activities.
Role of society in suicide prevention
Dr Satyakant Trivedi, senior psychiatrist and member of the Suicide Prevention Task Force constituted by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, says, every person in the society can play an important role in suicide prevention. We all understand the situation of the people living around us, friends, relatives, co-workers. If you are feeling some different change or disappointment in such people, whether it is mood or behavior or even in the things said by them, then serious attention should be paid to it.
Identifying such signs in time and paying attention to it, talking to the person can be helpful in preventing a possible suicide.
Rising suicide rate among students
The rising suicide rate among students is in the headlines these days. In the year 2022, 53% of the total student suicides were male students. However, between 2021 and 2022, male student suicides decreased by 6%, while female student suicides increased by 7%.
Dr Satyakant says, unnecessary pressure of studies on students, comparison with peers, such situations are increasing mental stress. Parents can play an important role in preventing suicides among students at the primary level.
Avoid comparing each other
The psychiatrist says, our focus should be on promoting the abilities of children, so that it is helpful in their overall well-being, and not on motivating them to compete with each other. It is important that a systematic, comprehensive and strong career and college counseling system is created within each institution. Topics like mental health improvement should also be included in the teaching curriculum.
How can suicides be prevented?
Dr Satyakant says, apart from students, family discord, financial constraints have also been a reason for suicide. To prevent suicides, pay serious attention to the behavior of people around you. If you notice any negative changes in them, be careful. Talk to that person. Sometimes the best thing is to just be present with such people. For that person, knowing that someone cares for him and is with him, this also gives strength to the mind and can reduce the intensity of suicidal thoughts.
Encourage such people to seek help from a professional psychiatrist as soon as possible. A little effort on your part can save someone's life.
