Bengaluru techie case draws focus to 'higher suicide rate' among married men; here's what data shows

Family problems and illness were the major reasons for suicides in 2022

The recent suicide of a techie in Bengaluru has once again brought to light the growing problem in India in the last few years. Every year, more than 1 lakh people commit suicide in the country due to several reasons from professional or career problems, sense of isolation, family problems, among other reasons.

In the year 2022, total suicides in India increased by 4.2 per cent, from 1,64,033 in 2021 to 1,70,924 in 2022, according to data by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The total number of suicides in 2020 were 1,53,052.

According to the report, majority of the suicides were reported in Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal. These five states together accounted for 49.3 per cent of the total suicides reported in the country in 2022.

Family problems and illness were the major reasons for suicides in 2022, accounting for 31.7 per cent and 18.4 per cent of the total cases respectively. This was followed by drug abuse/alcoholic addiction, marriage related issues, and other reasons.

A look at the total number of suicides in 2022 gender wise

The NCRB data reveals that of the total suicides in 2022, there were 1,22,724 males and 48,172 females. A total of 67 per cent of the suicide victims (1,14,485 out of 1,70,924) were married while 24.6 per cent were unmarried. Widowed/widower, divorcees and separated have accounted for 1.5 per cent (2,518 victims), 0.6 per cent (960 victims) and 0.6 per cent (999 victims) of total suicide victims respectively during 2022.

In terms of married people who committed suicide, 83,713 were males and 30,771 females. ‘Hanging’ (58.2 per cent), consuming ‘poison’ (25.4 per cent), ‘drowning’ (5 per cent) and by coming under running vehicles/trains (2.9 per cent) were the prominent means/mode of committing suicide.

Why are more people committing suicide?

Depression has been identified as one of the key drivers of suicides in India. “The most common underlying reason for suicide is depression which in layman’s language we say stress otherwise it can be due to impulsiveness or other factors also, but the majority are because of depression,” Rajiv Mehta, vice-chairperson of the Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, told IANS.

He further stated that stressors related to work, finances, relationship issues and health often contribute to severe stress, leading to anxiety, depression, and ultimately, suicide.

Disclaimer: This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)