Suicide rate in Kerala shows downward trend

Kochi: The suicide rate in Kerala during 2004 - 2014 indicates a gradual decline  even as World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on Saturday.   The 10-year data of the National Crime Records Bureau indicates a positive signal with the rate showing decline every year. However, the rate of suicide in the state is 23.9, much higher than the national average of 10.6. The rate hit the top in 2001 and 2002 with 28.8 after which it started to decline. By 2012, the rate came down to 24.3.

“It is a positive sign that the suicide tendency is on the decline. Thanks to the women empowerment initiatives of the government, self-help groups, suicide prevention intervention centres and awareness programmes. It was in 2002 that the state witnessed the maximum number of suicides in recent years,” said Adv. Rajesh R. Pillai, president of Befrienders India, the national  coordinating agency of NGOs working in suicide prevention sector. As per the 2014 statistics, Kerala is in the fifth position in suicide rate while Puducherry tops the list with 40.4. Puducherry continued to report high suicide rates for the last three years.

The state accounts for 6.4 per cent of the total number of suicides in the country, while Maharashtra has the highest share with 12.4 per cent. “Economic independence of women is a major factor which could bring down the rate. As women started to earn, alcoholic addiction of their husbands or breadwinners in the family is no longer seriously upsetting the family’s means of living. Intervention programmes at various levels also have a significant impact,” added  Mr  Rajesh.

Meanwhile, the rate of suicide among youngsters below the age of 25 remains high in Kerala as well as in the country. Inability to take rational decisions, use of drugs, violence, rigid social norms about gender that are conflicting with expectations and dramatic social changes are some of the major reasons cited for the increased rate of suicide among youngsters.