Suicide Prevention: A Call to Action
In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, Pushpanjali Medical Centre, in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), East Delhi branch, recently hosted a comprehensive Mental Health Awareness Programme at the IMA premises in New Delhi. This initiative aimed to bring mental health issues into the spotlight, emphasising the urgent need to address and prevent suicides, particularly in vulnerable age groups.
Dr Vinay Aggarwal, Chairman of Pushpanjali Medical Centre and Past National President of the IMA, opened the session by sharing sobering statistics. He highlighted that over 726,000 people die by suicide globally each year, with a staggering 73 per cent of these suicides occurring in low and middle-income countries. Suicide stands as the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-29 years, underscoring the critical need for targeted mental health interventions for young people. Alarmingly, the global suicide rate is more than twice high among men than women, and over half (58.1 per cent) of all suicides occur before the age of fifty.
In India, the situation is equally concerning. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released in August 2022, the country reported a total of 164,033 suicides in 2021, representing a 7.2 per cent increase compared to the previous year. This figure, unfortunately, rose to an all-time high, with an estimated 171,000 suicides being recorded.
The highest numbers of suicides were reported in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, despite being a smaller region, reported the highest suicide rate at 3.9 per cent. The major factors contributing to these suicides were identified as unemployment, financial difficulties, marriage-related issues, academic failures, and relationship problems, particularly among students.
Addressing Mental Health Stigma and Suicide Prevention
Dr Vinay Aggarwal emphasised the importance of addressing mental health issues to foster overall growth for the nation and the global community. “For the overall growth of our nation and the world community, let us take a pledge to not take mental health issues lightly and to educate ourselves about mental health and wellbeing,” he urged. This call to action encourages everyone to become more proactive in understanding and supporting mental health concerns.
Interactive Programmes and Expert Discussions
To enhance awareness, the event featured a street play performed by the Asmita Theatre Group, delivering a powerful message on mental health and suicide prevention. Additionally, an engaging panel discussion titled “Suicide Prevention – Change the Narrative “provided valuable insights on how different sectors of society can contribute to preventing suicides.
The panel included renowned mental health professionals and experts such as Dr Rajesh Sagar from AIIMS, New Delhi; psychologist Jyotsna Bhardwaj; Dr Mukesh Bhatia; and others. They discussed the root causes of mental health illnesses and emphasised the critical roles that healthcare professionals, parents, families, educators, the media, and society at large can play in addressing and mitigating the risk of suicide.
The World Suicide Prevention Day initiative by Pushpanjali Medical Centre and IMA East Delhi branch served as a poignant reminder of the significance of mental health awareness. By fostering open dialogue, breaking the stigma associated with mental health, and promoting support networks, society can work together to prevent suicides and save lives.