Context:
India holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of suicides globally. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 1.71 lakh individuals died by suicide in 2022. The suicide rate has surged to 12.4 per 1,00,000 individuals – the highest rate ever documented in India. However, these statistics are likely underestimated due to deficiencies in the registration system, absence of medical certification of death, societal stigma, and other contributing factors.
Relevance:
- GS1- Population and Associated Issues
- GS-2-
- Government Policies and Interventions
- Health
Mains Question:
Discuss the factors responsible for the rising suicide rates among youth in India. What can be done at the individual and government levels to minimise its occurrence. (15 Marks, 250 Words).
Relevant Statistics:
- Alarmingly, 41% of all suicides are committed by individuals below the age of 30, with suicide emerging as the leading cause of mortality among young women in India.
- Shockingly, a young Indian takes their own life every eight minutes, representing not only a personal tragedy but also a loss to families, communities, the economy, and the nation’s future. Suicide among the youth constitutes a significant public health crisis in India.
An Interplay of Various Elements:
Sociocultural Factors:
- Specific sociocultural factors contribute to the elevated risk of suicide among young girls and women.
- These include factors such as arranged and early marriages, young motherhood, low social standing, experiences of domestic violence, and economic dependence.
- Additionally, rigid gender norms and discriminatory practices play significant roles in this context.
The Educational System:
- The educational system also plays a crucial role in contributing to suicide rates, particularly among young people.
- The intense focus on achieving high marks, coupled with a single-point examination system, parental pressure, and high expectations from both oneself and educational institutions, creates immense stress.
- The competitive nature of examinations, media hype surrounding results, the stigma associated with failure, and prolonged periods of pent-up pressure and emotions further exacerbate the emotional strain experienced by students.
- Tragically, the pressure persists even after securing admission to prestigious professional colleges, as academic demands continue to drive students to the brink of despair.
Surge in Internet Usage:
- Over the past two decades, there has been a notable surge in internet usage among young individuals.
- A meta-analysis conducted across 19 states of India revealed that nearly 20% of college students exhibit signs of internet addiction.
- Additionally, one-third of young people report experiencing cyberbullying, with a third of those individuals expressing suicidal ideation.
- Research suggests that teenagers who spend more than two hours per day on social media platforms are more prone to suicidal thoughts.
Media:
- The media exerts a substantial influence on vulnerable young individuals. Sensationalized reporting of suicides, particularly those involving celebrities, often correlates with increased suicidal behavior.
- For instance, following the death of a popular young male actor in India, there was a significant uptick in online searches related to “how to commit suicide” on platforms like Google.
Other Factors:
- Suicide is a multifaceted human behavior, and attempting to pinpoint a singular causative factor is futile.
- Especially in young individuals, suicide is best understood as the result of a complex interplay among various biological, psychological, familial, and sociocultural elements.
- A recent examination of adolescent suicides in India highlights several commonly reported risk factors.
- These include mental health issues (54%), negative family dynamics or traumatic family experiences (36%), academic stress (23%), social and lifestyle factors (20%), exposure to violence (22%), economic hardships (9.1%), and relationship challenges (9%).
- Other contributing factors to youth suicide encompass physical and sexual abuse, failure in examinations, intergenerational conflicts, parental pressures, and caste discrimination.
- Alcohol and substance use are recognized as significant risk factors for youth suicides.
Way Forward:
- There are effective solutions available to address the issue of suicide. A common misconception is that suicides cannot be prevented, often attributed to the belief that it’s solely an individual’s choice or due to socioeconomic factors beyond their control.
- However, for many young individuals contemplating suicide, there exists an opportunity for resolution of their issues through appropriate interventions.
- It’s crucial to provide young people with skills such as problem-solving, impulse control, and emotional regulation, while also encouraging them to seek help when needed.
- Early detection of mental distress and offering care in a youth-friendly environment are paramount.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, practicing moderate and responsible internet usage, fostering supportive friendships, and incorporating practices like yoga and meditation, can significantly improve mental well-being and reduce suicidal tendencies among young individuals.
- Improving family dynamics by addressing issues like domestic violence and alcohol abuse, along with providing economic support to those in need, has been proven effective in reducing suicidal behavior.
- Educational reforms, such as implementing alternative assessment methods and creating opportunities for young people to explore their potential, are essential.
- Addressing societal issues such as stigma and discrimination based on caste, religion, and sexuality is imperative. This requires a collective effort involving political will, collaboration across various sectors, and active participation from the community.
- An initiative that requires increased awareness is the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for India, established by the Ministry of Health in November 2019. The finalized strategy was officially launched on November 21, 2022, with the aim of reducing suicide rates by 10% by the year 2030.
- Recognizing the importance of collaboration, the strategy emphasizes the involvement of various ministries including Health, Education, Information and Broadcasting, and Social Welfare.
- The strategy underscores the significance of utilizing educational institutions and youth organizations to promote mental health and combat substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. This involves engaging school health ambassadors and establishing youth clubs to address these issues.
Conclusion:
The immediate priority is to disseminate the strategy to all states across India and relevant stakeholders. Adequate budgetary allocations are necessary to ensure effective implementation of the strategies at the state, district, and community levels without delay.
