Date : 27/12/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 1- Society

Keywords: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Suicide Risk, National Suicide Prevention Strategy, Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) Bill, COVID-19

Context-

Suicide is a global public health concern, claiming nearly 800,000 lives annually, equivalent to one person every 40 seconds. The Lancet reports that India holds the dubious distinction of having the highest number of suicide deaths in the world. However, discussions around suicide often carry a heavy stigma and are erroneously viewed as personal choices rather than preventable outcomes. To comprehensively address this critical issue, a deep understanding of suicide's defining characteristics is imperative.

Defining Suicide: Insights from Emile Durkheim and the NCRB

Emile Durkheim, a pioneering sociologist, defined suicide as death resulting directly or indirectly from a positive or negative act of the victim, knowingly leading to this outcome. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) considers suicide a personal tragedy with a ripple effect, affecting families, friends, and communities. Durkheim's analysis extends beyond individual factors, emphasizing the collective nature of suicide.

Durkheim classified suicides into distinct types:

• Egoistic: Resulting from the lack of integration of an individual into society, with higher family density correlating to lower suicide rates.
• Altruistic: Occurs when social group involvement is excessively high, leading individuals to sacrifice their lives for the group, as seen in events like religious sacrifices.
• Anomic: Arises from a lack of social regulation during high-stress periods, often triggered by financial loss or divorce.
• Fatalistic: Occurs when individuals face tight regulations or high expectations, eroding their sense of self.

Suicide Trends in India

In 2021, India reported 164,033 suicides, indicating a 7.2% increase compared to 2020. The suicide rate in India, measured as the incidence of suicides per 1 lakh population, rose from 9.9 in 2017 to 12.0 in 2021. Alarmingly, suicide has become the leading cause of death among those aged 15-29, with the age group of 18-45 accounting for two-thirds of all suicides in 2021.

Main Drivers of Suicide Risk in India

Major drivers include:

General Factors:

• Individual: Mental health issues, substance abuse, relationship problems, and personality traits.
• Social: Lack of social support, workplace harassment, and discrimination based on race, gender, or sexual orientation.
• Economic: Financial hardships, unemployment, and lack of social security.

Factors for Rising Suicides Among Women:

• Socio-cultural norms: Early marriages, limited financial autonomy, and the empty nest syndrome.
• Issues related to marriage: Domestic abuse, dowry-related problems, and societal taboos.
• Victims of crime: Stigma against victims of sexual crimes.

Factors for Rising Suicide Among Students:

• Young age: Psychological and physical changes leading to impulsive behavior.
• Academic distress: Pressure to secure admission in premier institutions and discrimination against marginalized students.
• Social expectations: The burden of being an 'ideal child' or 'ideal student' leads to mental health challenges.

Suicides in the Armed Forces: A Disturbing Trend

The armed forces in India face a concerning trend of suicides, with 100 to 140 soldiers succumbing to self-inflicted injuries annually since 2001. The Union Ministry for Home Affairs identified three major factors contributing to these incidents: service conditions, working conditions, and personal/individual issues. Remedial measures include Art of Living courses, transparent policies, deployment of psychological counselors, and helplines for support.

Far-reaching Consequences of Suicides

The consequences of suicides extend beyond individual tragedies, impacting families, communities, and society at large:

For Family:

• Emotional trauma: Intense grief, guilt, anger, and sadness.
• Financial hardships: Lost income and increased healthcare costs.
• Family disruption: Strained relationships, divorces, and conflicts among surviving family members.

For Society:

• Stigmatization: Societal attitudes contribute to stigma, hindering open discussions.
• Copycat suicides: Publicized suicides can lead to imitative acts, especially among vulnerable individuals.
• Educational impact: Suicides among students affect the educational environment and performance.

For Country:

• Impact on healthcare systems: Strain on emergency services and mental health care.
• Loss of human capital: Premature loss affecting workforce diversity, skills, and expertise.
• Long-term economic impact: Increased social welfare costs and reduced contribution from high-risk populations

Steps Taken in India for Suicide Prevention

India has implemented various steps and strategies at the national level to prevent suicides:

• National Suicide Prevention Strategy: The National Suicide Prevention Strategy, unveiled in 2022, marks the first time suicide prevention has been prioritized as a public health concern. Aligned with WHO's Southeast Asia Region Strategy, it aims to achieve a 10% reduction in suicide mortality by 2030. The strategy reinforces leadership, enhances health services' capacity, develops community resilience, and strengthens surveillance..
• National Mental Health Policy (2014): Recommends awareness creation, de-stigmatization, and restricting access to means.
• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Shifts focus from punishment to mental health support for those attempting suicide.
• Proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) Bill: Removes criminalization of suicide, but criminalizes attempts to compel or restrain lawful power.
• Judicial Interpretations: P. Rathinam vs. Union of India (1994): Supreme Court declares Section 309 of IPC unconstitutional. Gian Kaur VS. State of Punjab (1996): Clarifies that the right to life does not include the right to die.

New Challenges in Suicide Prevention

• Media Message and Publicity: Continuous press reports of celebrity suicides can glamorize the act, influencing vulnerable individuals.
• Impact of Internet and Communication Networks: Teens are lured into risk-taking behaviors through mobile phones and the Internet, leading to psychosocial problems.
• Emerging Technologies: AI-powered virtual companions may exacerbate loneliness, providing a seemingly perfect yet artificial relationship experience.
• Pandemic-related Mental Health Issues: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates mental health challenges for marginalized and vulnerable groups.
• Lacunae in Indian Research: Lack of comprehensive research on psychosocial and biological determinants of suicide hampers policy-making.
• Changes in Legal Trends: Legal confusion over euthanasia and recognition of homosexual marriages increases suicide risk factors.

Holistic Approaches to Suicide Prevention

To address the complexity of suicide prevention, holistic approaches involving multiple stakeholders are crucial:

Role of the State:

• Institutional measures: Establishing cross-sectoral commissions to prioritize suicide prevention.
• Effective monitoring: Improving data collection and reporting on suicides.
• Budgetary allocations: Ensuring adequate financial support aligned with the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Role of Civil Society and Media:

• Capacity building: Providing crisis support and participating in legal reforms and advocacy.
• Responsible media reporting: Using non-stigmatizing language and promoting mental health awareness.

Role of Educational Institutions:

• Mental health support: Strengthening access to counseling and addressing specific needs of students.
• Curriculum reforms: Emphasizing life skills development and stress management.

Learning from Best Practices

• Best practices from regions like Tamil Nadu, where innovative exam policies reduced student suicides, and Sri Lanka, which successfully halved its suicide rate through comprehensive measures, offer valuable insights.

Conclusion

Suicide prevention in India is a multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. By understanding the drivers, implementing evidence-based strategies, and involving diverse stakeholders, there is an opportunity to transform lives, foster resilience, and contribute to a more compassionate society. Suicide prevention aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages. As India continues to evolve its suicide prevention efforts, the emphasis on awareness, collaboration, and resource provision is critical for success.

Source- Indian Express