| Syllabus: GS I, Subject: Society and Social justice, Topic: Social Sector-Health, Issue: Mental health |
Context: As per NCRB reports,1.71 lakh people died by suicide in 2022.
Suicide:
- Suicide is the tragic and untimely loss of human life, all the more devastating and perplexing because it is a conscious volitional act.
Reasons behind suicide:
- Young girls and women- early marriages, domestic violence, and rigid gender roles.
- Youth suicide- Educational pressure, parental expectations, and competitive exams.
- Alcohol, substance use, internet addiction, and cyberbullying.
- Sensational media reporting can trigger vulnerable individuals.
Steps needed to prevent suicides:
- Teach impulse control and emotional regulation skills to young people.
- Early identification of mental distress
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including good diet, regular physical activity, and moderate internet use
- Collaboration between health, education, information, and social welfare ministries
| +1 advantage for mains(Data points)
·                The Ministry of Health’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy aims to reduce suicide by 10% by 2030. ·                In India, youth suicide risk factors include mental health problems (54%), family issues (36%), academic stress (23%), and social factors (20%). ·                41% of suicides occur among individuals under 30 years old. ·                Suicide is the leading cause of death for young women in India. ·                A young Indian dies by suicide every eight minutes, posing a significant loss to family, society, and the economy. |
