LET US FIND AN END TO SUICIDES IN KERALA

"The bravest thing I ever did was continuing my life when I wanted to die." 

- Juliette Lewis (Various awards winning, renowned American actress, still active in films)

We may first go through the suicide scenario in the world.

According to various studies, about 15% of the human population in the world have at least once in their life time get the tendency to commit suicide. An estimated 7,03,000 people commit suicide around the world every year. Over 1.3% of total deaths in 2019 was the result of suicide. The global suicide rate is twice as high among men than women. 58% of all suicide deaths are before the age of 50 years. South Korea, Russia and South Africa are the countries where suicide rate is high in the world. Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Italy and Slovakia have lowest rates of suicide in the world.

The prime reasons found for people committing suicide are Depression, Psychotic, Impulsiveness (for drugs and alcohol) The state of Kerala with the suicide rate of 24.3 is one of the highest in the world level too, while the national average is 10.2. There were 8536 suicide deaths in the state in 2019 against 8237 in 2018.  While the number of suicides in 2000 was 8500, in 2021 it went upto 9549.

Why so much of people are committing suicide in our state?

The motives found for 39 per cent of suicides in Kerala are found to be Domestic Issues. During the period from 2018 to 2023 6,244 young men between the age of 18-30 committed suicide in the state. The figure of young women during this period was 2,471. Sadness, anxiety,  worry, stress.and anger said to be the reasons for suicides in Kerala. However, it is not affected in equal measure for men and women. Kollam City (Kerala) with 43.9 and Asansol (W. Bengal) with 38.5 have the highest suicide rates in India. While a number of reasons are attributed to suicides in Kerala, there seems to be undetected reasons too. Some people from both sexes commit suicide after comparing themselves with known others. These comparison may be on various matters like wealth, health, beauty, academic qualifications, knowledge and such other things. These may be unique in this part of the world.

Can we find an end to this high number of suicides in this highly literate state? The literacy of Kerala is confined to an educational system based on books only, not on practical knowledge. We must first develop a proper educational system in the state with a well planned school syllabus. Strict importance should be given to suicide in the syllabus of all classes at appropriate densities in various classes with the help of educationists, psychologists, police officers, doctors etc. Further to this,  short duration classes to be conducted to explain prevention strategies for suicides by people of various ages. People should be provided opportunities to know about prosperous homes collapsed after suicides by the inmates. Wherever possible, suitable religious leaders may be allowed to participate suicide prevention activities. The result of all these actions should be strictly and continuously monitored. All the relevant associates of this operation must ensure sharp decline of suicides in the state.

K V George