State in crises: This suicide prevention month, it’s high time we look inward

Raipur: As Sept marks the ‘Suicide Prevention Month' and shines a keen spotlight on related mental health issues, Chhattisgarh's records show a steep rise and disturbing trends in cases of suicide. In 2022, the state's suicide rate climbed to 28.2 per lakh—more than double the national average of 12.4—throwing light on an escalating crisis that demands urgent attention.
While the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2023 and 2024 is yet to be released , figures from 2010 to 2019 reveal a distressing trend. Suicides rose dramatically from 110 in 2010 to 2,337 by 2019, with a significant surge between 2010 and 2011, when cases spiked from 110 to 1,641 respectively. Since 2011, the suicide rate has hovered around 2,000 cases annually, indicating a consistently persistent and deeply rooted issue that wasn't addressed enough over the years.
Psychologist Megha Suryavanshi told TOI that there was a rise in mental health disorders like schizophrenia, particularly among individuals aged 25-35 and those over 40. These patients, often grappling with past traumas, suffer from distorted perceptions of reality, including hallucinations. Elderly patients, in particular, struggle with feelings of rejection from their families.
"There is a pressing need for mental health awareness, wherein urban areas could benefit from workshops and social media campaigns, while rural communities can utilize storytelling and radio programs to inform and apprise people," Suryavanshi said. Establishing community support networks, like urban support groups and rural village circles, is also crucial for fostering open discussions on mental health, she added.Moreover, training teachers and community health workers can improve the quality of care, Suryavanshi said.
"Family issues have emerged as the leading cause of suicides, revealing vulnerabilities in personal relationships today. Bullying, unrealistic expectations, and social media pressures all contribute to strained relationships with family, friends, and partners," says Rashi Agrawal, another clinical psychologist. Agrawal also pointed out the impact of social media, which promotes constant comparison and fosters feelings of inadequacy. "It's vital to prioritize patience, truth, and self-acceptance. We must communicate openly with others and confront our problems, not avoid them," she added.
NLP coach Anupama Mishra emphasized the role of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) in addressing mental health challenges. Techniques like reframing of thoughts, help individuals shift negative thoughts into positive ones, reducing feelings of hopelessness and aiding in suicide prevention.
Experts agree that the reasons behind Chhattisgarh's rising suicide rates are complex, involving deep-rooted social and economic issues. Family conflicts, poor access to healthcare, and economic hardship, particularly among rural communities, play significant roles.
Daily wage earners face financial insecurity, while housewives contend with domestic conflicts and societal pressures. Students and unemployed youth struggle with unrealistic expectations in face of unfair odds and exploitative conditions.
Although men account for 71.8% of suicide cases, women face unique pressures, especially related to marriage, dowry, and infertility.
Over half of the female suicides in the state involve housewives, highlighting the need for gender-specific interventions.
The COVID-19 pandemic too exacerbated conditions, increasing risk of suicides. A study reported 12,746 suicide attempts and 33,345 deaths in India during the pandemic.
Finally, impulsive actions, behavioural patterns and lack of understanding, particularly among children influenced by media and individuals from the LGBTQ community, due to lack of acceptance and knowledge about their well-being, also contribute to the state's suicide crisis. Lack of societal acceptance remains a significant factor, making suicide prevention efforts even more challenging.