371 SUICIDES A DAY IN INDIA: SURVEY

The suicidal rate in India has increased from 7.5 per lakh population in 1987 to 11.2 per lakh population in 2012, reveals a survey by Cosmos Institute of Mental Health and Behavioural Science (CIMBS) released on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September. The data available with National Crimes Record Bureau shows that the number of people committed suicide during 2012 in India is around 1,35,445. It means that there are around 371 suicide reports a day or in other words one suicide every four minute. The survey further reveals that a majority of people committing suicide are of the age group 15-49 while the 40 per cent of men and 56 per cent of women who commit suicides in India are in the age range 15-29. “We firmly believe that it is only when we talk about suicide and its causes that we can build an atmosphere of hope and resilience at home and community to help prevent suicide,” says Dr. Sunil Mittal of CIMBS.