YOUTH SUICIDES IN INDIA

NEWS: India reports highest youth suicides in the world with 41% of all suicides in India being done by youth under the age of 30 (as per 2022 NCRB Report).

Causes of Youth Suicides in India

• Higher Unemploymentà Overall Unemployment Rate of 3-5% vs. 15-29% in Youth.
• Mental Health Crisis: over 50% youth (18-24) reported poor mental health.
• Relationship problems such as family disputes, love affairs and marriage-related stress, contributed to nearly 50% of all suicide among young adults (18–30).
• Cultural Norms: patriarchal structures disproportionately affect women, e.g. dowry, domestic violence, barriers to education and jobs etc.

Way Ahead

• Structural changes: like economic development, urbanisation and educational reform to fulfill youth aspirations.
  • g. these steps helped China reduce its suicide rate since the 1990s.
• Gatekeeper Trainingà Community members, g. teachers must be trained to recognize warning signs likesocial withdrawal.
• Social Empowermentàg. promote gender equality, dilute caste structures (e.g. new UGC Guidelines against caste discrimination on campuses), etc.
• Restricting access to means such as anti-suicide fans in Kota, inclusion of emotional regulationand life skills in curriculum, etc.

Initiatives taken in India

• National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022)à India’s first dedicated policy aimed at reducing suicide mortality through multi-sectoral collaboration.
• Tele MANAS: A 24/7 toll-free mental health rehabilitation helpline.
• National Mental Health Programmeà Centralized framework to provide mental health services and reduce the treatment gap.