Kerala youths choosing suicide to overcome trauma; Thrissur ranks top on list

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Love failure, drug abuse, and family feuds are mainsprings for people opting for suicide as solace. According to data, the number of people who committed suicide in Kerala has risen in the last year. Psychologists say that the rise in depression and anxiety among youths after COVID-19 as the root cause for the numbers increasing in recent times.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau's 2022 figures, Kerala has the fourth highest suicide rate (28.5 per 1 lakh). Sikkim (43.1), Andaman and Nicobar (42.8) and Puducherry (29.7) are in the top three positions. The national rate is twelve per 1 lakh people. The suicide rate in Kerala increased by 6.4 per cent in 2022 (10,162) compared to 2021 (9,549). Psychiatrists say that not recognizing depression and not seeking treatment on time leads to suicide. Excessive use of drugs also pushes some people to commit suicide.

The World Health Organization says depression and anxiety disorders have increased by 25% worldwide since Covid. It mostly affects teenagers and women. Experts say that 85 per cent of people in India do not seek treatment for mental health problems.

In Kerala

Suicide rate

2020.............................8,500

2021............................9,549

2022...............................10,162

In major cities

(in 2022)

Thrissur................................... 489

Kollam................................... 472

Thiruvananthapuram...............361

Kochi...................................347

Kozhikode...................284

Malappuram...................................146