ILLUSTRATION: SOURCE: WHO
by Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai 10 March 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light a significant increase in suicide deaths among daily wagers, laborers, students, housewives, and self-employed persons in India. Following the pandemic, India has seen a significant rise in suicide cases in the past three years. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, suicide cases have risen from 139,123 in 2019 to 153,052 in 2020 and further to 164,033 in 2021.
Daily wagers constitute a significant portion of these cases, accounting for nearly 25% of all suicide deaths each year. Suicide incidents among them rose from 32,563 in 2019 to 37,666 in 2020 – the year in which the major lockdown was imposed – and to 42,004 in 2021. With no work and no savings, many daily wagers and laborers are finding it challenging to provide for their families, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Housewives have also seen a gradual increase in suicide deaths over the three years, rising from 21,359 in 2019 to 22,374 in 2020 and to 23,179 in 2021. The pressures of managing the household, coupled with financial troubles, may be contributing to the rise in suicide deaths among housewives.
Self-employed persons have constituted the third biggest category of people to die by suicide, with numbers increasing from 16,098 in 2019 to 17,332 in 2020 and to 20,231 in 2021. The pandemic has severely impacted businesses, leading to job losses and financial distress, making it challenging for self-employed persons to keep their businesses afloat.
Unemployed persons have also seen an increase in suicide deaths, with the number rising from 14,019 in 2019 to 15,652 in 2020. The lack of job opportunities and financial stability has made it challenging for many to survive and provide for their families, leading to feelings of despair.
Students have been affected by the pandemic in more ways than one, with recorded suicide deaths among them rising almost 20% from 10,335 in 2019 to 12,526 in 2020 and touching the highest figure of 13,089 in 2021. With online classes and the uncertainty of when things will return to normal, students are finding it challenging to cope with the pressure of academics and their mental health.
Agricultural laborers have also seen an increase in suicide deaths, rising from 4,324 in 2019 to 5,098 in 2020 and to 5,563 in 2021. With crop failures and debt traps, many agricultural laborers find it challenging to make ends meet, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
The rise in suicide cases among these vulnerable groups is alarming and questions the idea of a shining India and Achhe din aane waale hain. The government needs to take immediate action to address the issue and provide financial and emotional support to those in need. It is crucial to address the underlying issues that are contributing to the rise in suicide deaths, such as job losses, financial distress, and mental health issues.
Overcoming the alarming spike in suicide incidents in India requires a comprehensive approach involving various stakeholders. Here are some possible steps that could be taken:
Mental Health Awareness: Mental health awareness should be promoted to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues. People should be educated about the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses, and how to seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with mental health.
Accessible Mental Health Services: Mental health services should be made more accessible to people across the country. This can be achieved by increasing the number of mental health professionals, setting up helplines, and expanding the availability of online mental health resources.
Addressing Economic and Social Issues: Many suicides are linked to economic and social issues such as poverty, unemployment, and relationship problems. These underlying issues need to be addressed through policies and programs that promote job creation, social welfare, and healthy relationships.
Education and Career Counselling: Education and career counselling should be provided to students and young adults to help them make informed decisions about their future. This can help prevent suicides related to academic pressure and career uncertainty.
Crisis Intervention: Crisis intervention services should be set up to provide immediate help to individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. These services could include emergency hotlines, mobile crisis teams, and crisis shelters.
Support from Family and Community: It is important to promote a supportive environment for people who are struggling with mental health issues. Families and communities can play a crucial role in providing emotional support, reducing isolation, and encouraging people to seek professional help.
Research and Data Collection: There is a need for research and data collection to better understand the factors contributing to suicide and to develop effective prevention strategies. This can help in identifying high-risk groups, determining the effectiveness of interventions, and guiding policy decisions.
Hence, addressing the issue of suicide requires a concerted effort from the government, civil society, and individuals. By promoting mental health awareness, expanding access to mental health services, addressing underlying economic and social issues, providing education and career counselling, setting up crisis intervention services, promoting supportive environments, and conducting research and data collection, it is possible to reduce the incidence of suicide in India.