HARIHARAN.
A
HB21051
B.Com LLB (HONS)
TITLE : WHY THERE IS INCREASE OF SUICIDES IN CURRENT SOCIETY.
ABSTRACT
Rates of suicide and non-fatal self-harm have increased at an unprecedented rate in the United States, as
well as in many other countries around the world. This chapter reviews the available evidence on the causes
of increased suicide rates and critically assesses the impact of several innovative approaches to suicide
prevention. First, we briefly describe trends in suicides and suicidal behavior and relate them to recent trends
in major suicide risk markers. Suicide is a global phenomenon and a major public health problem and “is
potentially preventable if well understood.” The article is an attempt to understand ‘Suicide in India’ with the
existing literature and a span of four decades. The data was collected from a number of articles on suicide
research in India published in various electronic databases and various official websites, as the country
surprisingly has the highest suicide death rate among all regional countries. The review shows an increase in
the number of suicide articles in India during the period. Although the suicide death rate in India is
remarkably high, the number of intervention studies is still very low. India’s understanding of the “concept”
remains questionable, as data from different sources for the same period show wide variations. Gender, age,
socioeconomic status, substance abuse, mental illness, medical conditions, psychological and environmental
stressors, etc., make people vulnerable at the end of their lives. Corresponding official documentation and
higher quality studies would help to better understand the phenomena. Interventional research and changes at
the policy level are the need of the hour to save the nation from the dangerous “suicide iceberg”.
KEY WORDS : Multilevel epidemiology, Prevention, Self-harm, Suicide
INTRODUCTION
Suicide, “the only really important philosophical problem” (Camus 1955), is a major public health problem,
claiming approximately 800,000 lives worldwide each year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death
among young people, accounting for 57 percent of all violent deaths and about 1.5 percent of all deaths—
more than malaria or breast cancer (World Health Organization 2019). Because suicide “is of all forms of
death that leaves behind the sharpest and most lasting sting in the heart of the survivors” (Wade 1879), its
effects on families and communities are extensive: grief, stigma, and aftereffects. The increase in psychiatric
illness and suicide is reflected across generations. The question of whether suicide is a preventable outcome
has been in the medical literature since the late 19 th century, when suicide was seen as a mental illness rather
than a moral failure (Maris 2000) and became a medical issue. (Wade 1879; Pacheco 1936) and public health
studies (Oliven 1954). This chapter describes recent advances in suicide prevention and critically discusses
how several innovative prevention approaches can potentially impact current trends in suicide and nonfatal
self-harm, focusing on the growing suicide burden in the United States. First, we describe recent data on
trends in suicide and suicidal behavior and relate them to recent trends in major suicide risk markers. We then
review the existing evidence for suicide prevention at the individual and population levels, including new
approaches currently being developed. Finally, we emphasize the need to conceptualize suicide and suicidal
behavior as a complex phenomenon with causes at multiple organizational levels. This requires the
development of interdisciplinary research and intervention initiatives within a multilevel causal framework.
Suicides are among the top three causes. Of youth deaths worldwide. According to the WHO, almost a
million people die by suicide each year and 20 times more people attempt suicide; The global death rate is 16
per 100,000, or an average of one death every 40 seconds and one test every 3 seconds. Worldwide, suicide
accounted for around 1.8% of global morbidity in 1998; In 2020, this indicator is predicted to be 2.4% in
countries with market economies and former socialist economies. According to the latest data available from
the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2011, suicide rates range from 0.7 per 100,000 in the Maldives
to 63.3 per 100,000 in Belarus. India ranks 43 rd in descending order of suicide rates, with 10.6 per 100,000
reported in 2009 (WHO Suicide Rates). The number of suicides among young people has increased
considerably, and now a third of young people in developed and developing countries are the highest risk
group. An additional concern is the emerging phenomenon of “cyber-meeting” in the Internet age; also
because the use of new suicide methods is associated with an increase in the overall suicide epidemic.
However, suicide is a private and personal act, and suicide rates vary greatly from country to country. A
better understanding of the regional factors associated with suicide would allow cultural sensitivity in
prevention strategies. This focus is also highlighted in the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day on
September 10, 2012, “Suicide Prevention Worldwide: Strengthening Protective Factors and Instilling Hope.”
This qualitative review examines the historical and epidemiological aspects of suicide with a special focus on
India. We hope that uncovering the problem will facilitate planning for primary prevention..
HISTORICAL VIEW
The story of suicides is probably as old as man himself. Throughout the ages, suicide has been praised,
romanticized, lamented and even condemned in many ways. Be it the tragic Greek heroes Aegeus, Lycurgus,
Cato, Socrates, Zeno, Domesthene or Seneca or the Roman characters Brutus Cassius, Mark Antony or the
Egyptian princess. Cleopatra or Samson, Saul, Abimelech and Ahithophel in the Old Testament or suicide
terrorists in today’s world, the universality of suicide transcends religion and culture Understanding suicide
in the Indian context requires an appreciation of literature, religion and culture. Subcontinental atmosphere,
for tradition has rarely been ingrained in people’s lives as long as it has been in India. Ancient Indian texts
contain stories of bravery that glorified suicide as a means to escape shame and dishonor. Suicide is
mentioned in the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, which believed that those attempting suicide
should fast for a period of time. The Upanishads, the Holy Bible condemns suicide and states that “he who
takes his own life enters after death a sunny region covered with a veil of impenetrable darkness. However,
the Vedas allow suicide for religious reasons and say that the best sacrifice was one’s own. Life.” Self-
immolation by starvation, as it is also known, was associated with the attainment of “moksha” (liberation
from the cycle of life and death) and is practiced to this day, when a woman would rather burn herself in her
husband’s fire than. To live his own life. Life widowhood and where Rajput women killed themselves to
avoid humiliation at the hands of invading Muslim armies was practiced until the early 20 th century, cases of
heresy continue to be reported
.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
These findings were also confirmed by Gupta and Singh, who reported psychiatric disorders in 62% and
abnormal personality in 58%. Mahla studied attempts at self-impairment and reported that this behavior was
associated with psychiatric and personality disorders. Jain et al. It also found that 37.5% of the suicides had a
diagnosis of depression, 39.28% of the subjects had mild to moderate suicidal ideation, and 16% of them had
a high score on the hopelessness variable. Similarly, in a study using his psychological autopsy method, Khan
identified psychiatric illness and stressful life events as the two most important causes of suicide..
Bagadia attempted to investigate the relationship between unemployment and suicide and concluded that
while unemployment may be an important factor in suicide, it did not appear to be a causal factor. The study
hypothesized that both unemployment and suicidal behavior could be caused by some common
psychopathological factors. However, Srivatsava (2004) identified unemployment, a stressful life event in the
last six months, physical disorders and idiopathic pain as definitive risk factors for suicide..
Narang reported in his Ludhiana study that unmarried men and married women were more likely to attempt
suicide. However, they did not consider family type, economic status and educational level as important
variables. Mood disorders and adjustment disorders were discovered in a significant part of them..
In his comparison study between suicide attempters and completers, Suresh Kumar, reported that those who
completed suicide were significantly younger, they were more frequently unemployed and used more lethal
methods (hanging) than those who attempted. Other variables such as religion, domicile, marital status and
education showed no difference.
Suresh Kumar, in his comparative study of suicide attempts and those who committed suicide, reported that
those who committed suicide were significantly younger, were more likely to be unemployed, and used more
lethal methods (hanging) than those who committed suicide. Other variables such as religion, place of
residence, marital status and education showed no difference..
Deb sibnath, Academic stress, parental pressure, anxiety and mental health among Indian high school
students, 5 International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Science, 26-34 (2015) The author's work
examines academic stress and even mental health among students. India. The author presents his research
using data collection and a general health survey. The author talks about parental pressure, academic stress,
exam anxiety, psychiatric problems, etc. These are all serious issues that affect students in every possible
way. The study offers ways to combat the aforementioned challenges..
Menon V et al. Rising Incidence and Changing Demographics of Suicide in India: Time to
Recalibrate Prevention Policies? 25 Asian J. Psychiatr, 102983 (2021) In this research paper, the author talks
about the spike in suicides, addressing it as a major public health issue in India. Out of which, suicides
among those with secondary and higher secondary education that is share of students registered a 7.4% in
2019 to 8.2% in 2020. The author explains that these trends cannot be ignored and should be observed
carefully. A rise in student suicide maybe triggered by the pandemic and inadequate access to coping
resources and vents due to school closure may have triggered additional stress. According to NCRB
(National crime record bureau), COVID-19 has been a catalyst towards student suicides. The author
suggested protocols or remedies to deal with the situation, which included, talking openly about stress,
forming school-community collaborations, conduction of programs aimed at fostering life skills etc.
Edwin Schneidman (cited in Kaplan and Sadock, 1998) defines suicide as "conscious self-destruction, best
understood as a multidimensional feeling of unwellness in a needy individual who defines a problem to
which it is the best solution." (page 864). Globally, more than a million people commit suicide each year
(WHO, 1999b). Suicide is a very difficult act. This is not just a simple, isolated, random act of coercion. It is
a death in which the murderer and the murdered are united in one person (Menninger, 1933)..
RESEARCH GAP
In 2019-2020, the total number of suicides decreased for the first time in more than a decade. Despite this
overall decline, there were no declines in many groups, and suicide rates are still higher than in the general
population. Although a significant amount of suicide prevention research has been conducted in recent years,
a deeper understanding is needed to address disproportionately affected groups (eg, rural residents, veterans,
tribes, youth).
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The research problem of this study is the leading cause of student suicides in India, and that Becoming the
new normal. This Problem is staying unnoticed by many. The study focuses on raising awareness and putting
forward Prevention ideas for few of the factors of suicide. A total of 1,53,052 suicides were reported in the
country during 2020 showing an increase of 10.0% in Comparison to 2019 and the rate of suicides has
increased by 8.7% during 2020 over 2019.Suicide affects all ages. In 2020, suicide was among the top 9
leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages
10-14 and 25-34.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.Understand the responsible factors.
2.Model of suicides, legal status of suicides.
3.Improves suicide prevention. Collection, research and evaluation..
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This report was developed through a global consultative process based on a systematic review of available
data and evidence and input from a range of partners and stakeholders both within and outside WHO. Could
the increase in suicides represent a crisis of socio-economic and cultural decline in a given social space? This
study contains a detailed analysis of the relationship between the company and the city of Litibara and its
economic, social and political effects on the population based on current changes, explaining several points
of this study. Experts who used their collective experience to paint a global picture of suicide and develop a
suicide prevention agenda. Together, this information helps to understand the social depression that gripped
the city when it was conquered. This study is based on a non-doctrinal research method collected from 50
respondents. The respondents are modern society Information was collected about modern society through a
questionnaire..
LIMITATIONS OF STUDY
The samples of the studies included in our review were patients admitted to a general hospital after a suicide
attempt; However, studies using the Hague protocol also included patients hospitalized as a result of
domestic violence and abuse. These studies cannot conclude whether screening and referral to an emergency
clinic is sufficient or reduces adverse outcomes in at-risk children. The Hague protocol was the only initiative
described in the scientific literature, and the design should be carried out in other large-scale studies and
preferably as a randomized controlled clinical trial, which also includes the post-discharge risk factors
described in this article. Because the search strategy for this review was comprehensive, we may have missed
information contained in local guidelines developed by hospitals. In Norway, for example, the government
has recently developed initiatives that raise awareness and focus on children as close relatives. The law,
which includes the rights of this group of children to receive information and appropriate care, was amended
in 2010.
DATA COLLECTION
The Research adopted is of doctrinal form hence predominantly focusing on primary sources such as
legislations, statutes, statistical data etc. It also focuses on secondary sources like articles and journals
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
TABLE 1
PERSONAL DETAILS
Variables No. Of the respondent Percentage
GENDER Male 27 54%
Female 23 46%
TOTAL 50 100%
AGE Less than 18 10 20%
19-35 25 50%
36-50 13 26%
Above 50 2 4%
TOTAL 50 100%
OCCUPATION School students 6 12%
Under Graduate 30 60%
Post Graduate 2 4%
Employee 6 12%
Others 6 12%
TOTAL 50 100%
SOURCE OF DATA: PRIMARY DATA
INTERPRETATION
The demographic variables are collected from 50 respondents and out of 50 respondents the Persons who are
belonging Male 54 % of the and Female 46 % of the Respondent to gender..to the age of less than 18 years
are 20% of the respondents and the person who are Belonging to the age of 19-35 are 50% of the
respondents, the age of 36-50are 26% respondents and the age of Above 50 are 4% of the of respondents.
Among the 50 respondents most of the respondents, the respondent who had a school level education are
12% graduate respondents are 64% Employee respondents are 12% and Others are 12%
TABLE 2
STATEMENT OF THE VARIOUS WAYS FOR CAUSE OF SUICIDES ATTEMPT INCREASE YES OR
NO
STATEMENT NO. OF PERCENTAGE NO. OF PERCENTAGE
RESPONDENT RESPONDENT
(Yes) (NO)
Suicide related to
Impulsiveness 18 36% 32 64%
Do people attempt
suicide to prove 26 52% 24 48%
something or to get
sympathy
Does alcohol and
other drugs abuse 30 60% 20 40%
increase the risk
for suicide
Have you ever had
a suicide attempt 04 08% 46 92%
SOURCE OF DATA: PRIMARY DATA
INTERPRETATION
i) The statement 1 explains that 64%of respondents said that the are more not impulsiveness and
Only 36%of respondents said that suicide in Impulsiveness
ii) The statement 2 explains that was 48% of the respondents said that there should be Suicide in sympathy
in India and 52% of respondents said that doesn't sympathy in India.
iii)The statement 3 shows that out of 50 respondents, 60%respondents are about drugs in suicide 20 %of
Respondents aren't Drugs in suicide
iv) The statement 4 explains that 96%of respondents are Not attempt suicide and 8% were affected by the
Suicide attempt.
TABLE 3
WHY TO DO ATTEMPT SUICIDE? OR CAUSE FOR SUICIDE
CAUSE NO.OF RESPONDENT NO. OF RESPONDENT
Family Issues 21 42%
Mine upset 10 20%
Threating by someone 07 14%
Love failure 03 6%
Body appearance 09 18%
TOTAL 50 100%
SOURCE OF DATA: PRIMARY DATA
INTERPRETATION
This table showing In this table Mine upset 20%respondent family issues 42% respondent threating by
someone 3love failure 14% Respondent Body appearance 18% Respondent in Suicide attempt.
TABLE 4
WHO DO MAN COMPLETE SUICIDE MORE OFTEN THAN WOMAN DO.
NO. OF. RESPONDENT PERCENTAGE
Family issues 08 16%
Love failure 14 28%
Addiction to alcohol 18 36%
Unsuccessful thought 10 20%
TOTAL 50 100%
SOURCE OF DATA: PRIMARY DATA
INTERPRETATION
Table showing that Unsuccessful thought 20% respondent family issues 40% respondent love failure 4%
respondent Addiction is alcohol 36% Respondent in more often women do men suicide attempt.
TABLE 5
WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ATTEMPT
NO. OF RESPONDENT PERCENTAGE
Family issues 20 40%
Mine upset 14 28%
Depression 07 14%
All the above 09 18%
TOTAL 50 100%
SOURCE OF DATA: PRIMARY DATA
INTERPRETATION
Table Showing that Mine upset 28% Respondent family issues 40% respondent Depression 14% all tha
above 18% Respondent in circumstances attempt.
TABLE 6
WHAT ARE THE PRESSURE AND URGES TO COMMIT SUICIDE
NO.OF RESPONDENT PERCENTAGE
Mine upset 08 16%
Unsuccessful thought 27 54%
Depression 11 22%
Many problems 04 8%
TOTAL 50 100%
SOURCE OF DATA:PRIMARY DATA
INTERPRETATION
In this table showing Mine upset 16% respondent depression 22% respondent unsuccessful thoughts 54%
Respondent many problems 8% respondent in commit suicide.
TABLE 7
WHAT BIOLOGICAL FACTORS INCREASE RISK FOR SUICIDE?
NO. OF RESPONDENT PERCENTAGE
Body appearance 25 50%
Depression 06 12%
Harmful hormonal secretion 09 18%
All the above 10 20%
TOTAL 50 100%
SOURCE OF DATA: PRIMARY DATA
INTERPRETATION
Table showing that In this table Body appearance 50% Respondent depression 18% respondent harmful
hormonal Secretion 12% respondent all tha above 20% in biological increase suicide.
SUGGESTIONS
Although the suicide rate returned closer to post-pandemic levels by December 2019, it remained slightly
higher through 2020. According to a broken time series analysis, the suicide rate increased from May to
August 2020 In India, teenagers are mostly affected by family problems compared to elders, because they
are the ones who don't use social media the most.The shocking fact is that none of the schools taught
awareness about it. Remember that schools and colleges should talk about these issues..
.
CONCLUSION
Suicide is a multifaceted problem and hence suicide prevention programmes should also be Multidimensional
Collaboration, coordination, cooperation and commitment are needed to develop And implement a national
plan, which is cost-effective, appropriate and relevant to the needs of the Community. In India, suicide
prevention is more of a social and public health objective than a traditional Exercise in the mental health
sector. The time is ripe for mental Health professionals to adopt proactive And leadership roles in suicide
prevention and save the lives of thousands of young Indians. Social and public health response to suicide is
crucial in India, and should complement a mental health Response Mental illness is a risk factor for suicide,
in India, as it is in developed countries. However, Additional risk factors are prominent in India. These tend
to relate to societal structures and specific Stressors. A social and public health approach acknowledges that
suicide is preventable, and promotes a Framework in integrated system of interventions across multiple levels
within society including the Individual, the family, the community, and the health care system. A key step in
such an approach Involves modifying attitudes toward suicide via educational efforts and legal levers.Student
suicides in India is a growing matter and should be given immense attention as soon as Possible. This study
helps in understanding what is suicide, the factors affecting it, and ways to Prevent them.
REFERENCE
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WEBLIOGRAPHY
1.http://www.Mirror.co.UK /news/uk news/study -Examine-Impact-internet-suicide-31601.
2.http://www.thehindu.com/ news/national/ Other-states/thesentries-of-suicide-lake/article 506585.ece
3.http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-suicide-capital-of-southeast-asia-says-who/Article
6381472.ece
