By: Priyanka Saurabh
Women are struggling with a disproportionate socio-economic burden. Their higher suicide death rate (SDR) than men is rooted in various factors, such as differences in socially acceptable ways of dealing with stress and conflict for women and men, domestic violence, and the different ways in which poverty affects genders. In general, married women are the biggest victims of suicide deaths among women. This group becomes more vulnerable due to arranged and early marriage, early motherhood, and economic dependence.
Social Stigma: The social stigma associated with mental health disorders in India is a major barrier to addressing them. Stigma and a general lack of knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders prevent timely intervention. State capacities to address mental health issues are non-existent. There are approximately 5,000 psychiatrists and fewer than 2,000 clinical psychologists in the country. Expenditures on mental health constitute a small portion of the total public health expenditure. India’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, and about 60% of the people are directly or indirectly dependent on it. Various reasons like drought, low produce prices, exploitation by middlemen, and inability to repay loans lead Indian farmers to commit suicide. The reason for this high number can be attributed to the lack of economic, social, and emotional resources. More specifically, academic pressures, workplace stress, social pressures, modernization of urban centers, relationship concerns, and the breakdown of support systems. Some researchers have attributed the increase in youth suicide to urbanization and the breakdown of traditional large-family support systems. Conflict of values within families is an important factor in the lives of youth. As young Indians are becoming more progressive, their traditionalist families are becoming less supportive of their choices related to financial independence, age of marriage, relocation, elder care, etc.
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Depression: WHO says depression and suicide are closely linked and, at its worst, India accounted for 18 percent of the total number of people suffering from depression globally in 2015. Being from the ST community and getting admission in college through SC/ST quota was discriminated against and insulted. Individuals face extreme harassment due to racial remarks, gender discrimination, etc. Caste-based discrimination and resentment from upper-caste students and teachers are common in the high-pressure environment of medical colleges as well as other higher educational institutions in the country. The Thorat Committee report of 2007 revealed how widespread and diverse caste-based discrimination practices were at AIIMS, the country’s premier medical college.
Decriminalizing suicide was long overdue and welcome. The same applies to the order of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India that insurance companies will have to make a provision in their policies to cover mental illnesses along with physical illnesses. Concerned over the rising incidents of suicides in Indian colleges, the Human Resource Development Ministry has circulated a manual among the country’s higher education institutions, asking authorities to adopt measures to prevent students from taking extreme steps. The manual lists measures such as early identification of suicidal tendencies, a buddy program, and a double-blind helpline, where both callers and counselors are unaware of each other’s identity. Other experts have suggested taking proactive steps as early as adolescence, including mental health in the school curriculum. The Mental Health Care Act 2016 will ensure that these people have the right to live a life with dignity and will not be discriminated against or harassed by the authorities. The Supreme Court has also said that Section 309 of the IPC also violates the right to life given under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Firstly, stop-gap solutions of setting up expert committees and consultants in schools have not been able to address the problem. Deep-rooted causes must be addressed. The government should conduct a comprehensive study on the reasons behind these suicides.
Second, the curriculum should be designed in a way that emphasizes the importance of mental exercise and meditation. Example: Delhi government’s initiative on ‘Happiness Curriculum’ could be a step in the right direction.
Third, 12 measures were suggested by the Justice Rupanwal Commission regarding higher education. Operationalizing equal opportunities cells with anti-discrimination officers in universities and colleges. Starting from the most “innocuous” practices of ragging to “extreme harassment”, such discriminatory behavior constitutes violence and is an attack on a person’s human rights that prevents them from living their lives with dignity and receiving education. The person should be given psychological support and care. The State may seek assistance from NGOs as well as religious missionaries for this purpose.
Strengthening the existing National Mental Health Program and District Mental Health Program as well as focusing training resources and streamlining funding are some other recommendations to fight depression and suicide.
Finally, it is time that we revitalize our educational ecosystem in ways that inculcate new meanings, new ideas of living, and new possibilities that can transform a life of uncertainty into a life worth living. Suicide can be prevented. Young people who are thinking about suicide often give warning signs of their trouble. Parents, teachers, and friends play an important role in recognizing these signs and getting help. Most importantly, never take these warning signs lightly. The media sometimes give intense publicity to “suicide clusters” – a series of suicides that occur mainly among young people within a short period in a small area. These have a contagious effect, especially when they are glamorized, imitated, or incited to “mimic suicide”. This phenomenon has been observed on several occasions in India, especially after the death of a celebrity, mostly a film star or politician. The widespread media publicity given to these suicides has led to similar suicides. The methods of combat depicted in films are also not uncommon. This is a particularly serious problem in India where film stars enjoy an iconic status and exert great influence, especially on youth who often look to them as role models.
