Depression a major cause of suicides in India

On August 5, this year, Gitika Sharma committed suicide by hanging herself. Soon after, a 19-year-old girl committed suicide by jumping off Pragati Maidan metro station. On September 5, a builder committed suicide at Galaxy Apartment, Gurgaon, and there are many more such cases but they couldn’t make it to the headlines.

In recent years, the number of suicide cases in the Capital has increased considerably. In fact, Delhi is at No.3 spot after Bangalore and Mumbai when it comes to number of suicide cases. Between 2006 and 2011, Bangalore registered 428 cases, Mumbai 227 and Delhi 132. According to one estimate, 300 people commit suicide everyday in India.

Under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code suicide is a crime. But the question is what makes a person commit suicide. According to psychologist Dr. Rippan Sippy, “The main reason is negativity. Such situations arise frequently when one doesn't get enough emotional support.”

Dr Rippan says, “Depression is responsible for 60 pc of suicide cases, 25 per cent is due to addiction, 10 percent of all such cases include people under mental stress. “

Issues related to finances, personal relationship are also the reasons for suicide. Financial crunches, interpersonal relationship, love affairs, physical abuse, homosexuality, serious illness, social isolation are some of the common causes. The cut-throat competition has put so much pressure on people that it becomes difficult for them to manage failure and hence they commit suicide.

Sociologist Gomti Bodra explains that loneliness could be one of the main reasons. Failure in love, comparisons among peer groups is other reason that disturbs the mental health of an individual. He says since 1990, people have adopted Western civilization for modernity and have lost the social support system which helps them in overcoming the stressful situations in life.

However, there are strict laws to deal with the problem and prevent suicide cases in countries like Australia, Canada, Norway and England. The mental disease eradication programs have played a key role to a large extent.

Looking at the increasing rate of suicides, India should take strong measures and open counselling service centres, depressed people should get support from their families and society. Dr Rippan says that suicide in India can be prevented by bringing awareness among the public and promoting counselling service.