Suicide in India

Presenter: Muthuvenkatachalam S.

Introduction• Suicide is defined as the intentional taking of one's own

life. • Prior to the late nineteenth century, suicide was legally

defined as a criminal act in most Western countries. • In the social climate of the early 2000s, however,

suicidal behavior is most commonly regarded and responded to as a psychiatric emergency.

• Mental disorders are a major risk factor for suicide in Europe and North America; however, in Asian countries impulsiveness plays an important role.

Suicidal Death: Global Trend

Suicidal Deaths: global Trend

• Suicide is considered a major public health problem around the world as well as a personal tragedy.

• Every year, almost one million people die from suicide; a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000, or one death every 40 seconds

Global trends (contd…)

• The WHO estimates – 13th leading cause of death worldwide– But its among the three leading causes of death

among those aged 15-44 years– second leading cause of death in the 10-24 years

age group in some countries. – In the last 45 years, suicide rates have increased

by 60% worldwide. – Current Average World Suicide Rate is 10.07 per

100,000 people

Incidence and Rate of Suicides in India during the Decade (2000-2010)

• 1,34,599 persons lost their lives in 2010. • This indicates an increase of 5.9% over the

previous year's figure (1,27,151). • The rate of suicides has shown a declining

trend since 2000 to 2003. An increasing trend is observed during 2006 to 2010

Suicdal deaths in the last decade

Suicidal Deaths rates in States: Top 10

Suicidal Death rates in India: Least 5

Suicidal Deaths in Cities

Mass/Family Suicides

• There were 290 deaths consisting of 90 males, 103 females and 97 minors were reported as per the information available.

• The highest number of cases were reported from Bihar (23) followed by Kerala (22), Madhya Pradesh (21) and Andhra Pradesh(20) out of 109 cases.

Causes of Suicide male % Over all %

Family Problems 62.2 23.7Illness 65.1 21.1Causes Not Known 68 16.9Other Causes 67.9 15.9Love Affairs 53.2 3.1Drug Abuse/Addiction 96.9 2.5Dowry Dispute 2.6 2.3Poverty 78.4 2.3Bankruptcy or Sudden change in Economic Status 88.4 2Failure in Examination 54.5 1.8Unemployment 87.6 1.7Property Dispute 74.1 1.4Suspected/Illicit Relation 42.8 1Fall in Social Reputation 63.8 1Cancellation/Non–Settlement of Marriage 49.7 0.8Death of Dear Person 57.4 0.8

Distribution According to profession

Farmers Suicide(2010)

Suicide victims by Sex and age group (2010)

Conclusion

• The rate of suicide has seen the increasing trend over last five years.

• For each successful suicide there are approximately twenty numbers of failed suicide attempts, this in turn imposes huge social, emotional and economic burden in the country.

References

• Suicide Prevention(SUPRE). World Health Organization.

(internet Document). Cited on Feb 2012. Available from: URL:

http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicide

prevent/en/index.html

• Accidental deaths and suicides in India 2010. National crime records Bureau; Ministry of Home Affairs. Cited on Feb 2012. Available from URL: http://ncrb.nic.in/ADSI2010/ADSI2010-full-report.pdf