A recent study published in The Lancet Public Health has shown a major decline in India's suicide death rate from 1990 to 2021. The study marks a positive development in the country’s health strategies and mental health awareness efforts.

How much has the suicide rate decreased?

According to the research based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, India’s suicide death rate has decreased by more than 30 percent over three decades. In 1990, the rate stood at 18.9 per lakh population, which dropped to 13.1 per lakh in 2019 and further reduced to 13 per lakh in 2021. This marks a total decline of 31.5 percent.

The reduction was more noticeable among females than males. In 1990, the suicide death rate for females was 16.8 per lakh population, which decreased to 10.3 per lakh in 2021. Among men, the suicide death rate was 20.9 per lakh population in 1990 and reduced to 15.7 per lakh in 2021.

Why is this decline significant?

The study shows that spreading awareness about mental health and having programs to help people can reduce suicides. Researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington found that in 2020, the highest suicide rates in India were among educated women. Family problems were the most common reason.

Around 740,000 suicides happen worldwide every year, which means one person dies by suicide every 43 seconds. However, the overall number of suicides has gone down over the past 30 years. The suicide rate has dropped from 15 deaths per lakh people to 9 deaths per lakh people. Among women, suicides have reduced by more than 50%, while among men, they have decreased by nearly 34%.

Even though suicide rates have gone down, experts say preventing suicides is still very important. Senior researcher Dr. Mohsen Naghavi from IHME said that while the decline in suicide rates is a good sign, some countries and groups of people are still more affected than others. He stressed that removing the shame around suicide and making mental health support easier to access is very important, especially for people struggling with mental health issues or drug addiction.

The study shows that India needs to continue focusing on mental health awareness, counseling, and policies to help those at risk. With the right steps, India can further reduce suicide rates and improve the mental well-being of its people.

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