Fourth highest in India; Why is suicide rate in Kerala so high?

The increase in suicides is becoming a big question mark for social life in Kerala. In the last five years, 36,213 people have taken their lives here, and this includes 21,476 men and 5,585 women. This is the figure from 485 police stations. Data from 81 police stations has not been received. According to the National Crime Records Bureau's estimate for 2022, Kerala has the fourth highest suicide rate in India.

Although there are many reasons for committing suicide, the most important issue is financial difficulties. There is also a growing tendency of entire families committing suicide due to economic vulnerability. Cases of parents killing their children and committing suicide are not few.

The increasing rate of suicides shows that even though the health department's awareness and counselling centres are working to prevent suicides, none of them are effective. Suicides occur with and without sudden psychosis. Children commit suicide here because of low marks in exams also. Sixty percent of women who commit suicide are housewives. Marital problems and extramarital affairs are also causes of suicide. Those who commit suicide include highly educated doctors and IT professionals. Meanwhile, wage labourers are also on this list. Mental illnesses like depression are also increasing in Kerala. Experts have pointed out that the tendency of suicide will be more in people with this disease.

Thoughts of ending life usually arise in people who are unable to talk openly and interact, and who withdraw into themselves. It is never comforting to see such a growing number of isolated people. There needs to be a discussion about what innovative plans and measures can be taken to prevent suicides at the level of the government, individuals, groups, etc.

What is needed first is the accurate data about suicides in Kerala. This should be prepared by the government. A special expert committee should be appointed to study the various types of suicides and the socio-economic conditions behind them. Similarly, religions can also create proper awareness among their communities against suicide. Just saying that suicide is not a solution to anything is not enough. A person's feelings and lost thoughts that there is no other way out are often what leads him to take his own life. Parents and teachers can play a big role in equipping children to eliminate such thoughts at an early age. Children often tell loving teachers issues that they hesitate to reveal even to their parents. It is also necessary to organize regular meetings at the school level to provide an opportunity for this.

In the past, the number of suicides due to health reasons was very low but such suicides have also increased recently. Financial obligations for treatment have also become a nightmare for the middle class.

It cannot be said that the increasing use of drugs and the propagation of negative things through social media and the cyber world are not leading the youth to such thoughts.
It is necessary to build a healthy society along with development and progress. All other advances become irrelevant if that doesn't happen. Sociologists should start thinking about what can be done about it.