India sees over 30% decline in suicide death rates from 1990 to 2021: Lancet Study

 India Sees Over 30% Decline in Suicide Death Rates from 1990 to 2021: Lancet Study

A recent study by The Lancet analyzed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. The study revealed that globally, one person dies by suicide on average every 43 seconds.

India-specific Findings
Suicide Death Rate: The rate in India has decreased from 18.9 per lakh population in 1990 to 13 per lakh in 2021, with a more significant reduction among women than men.

• For Females: The rate decreased from 16.8 (1990) to 10.3 (2021).
• For Males: The rate dropped from 20.9 (1990) to 15.7 (2021).
  Most Vulnerable Group: Educated women in India experienced the highest suicide death rates in 2020, with family issues being the most common cause.

Initiatives/Factors Contributing to the Decline in Suicides

• Decriminalization: The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 decriminalized suicide. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) does not have a provision similar to Section 309 of the former IPC, which criminalized suicide.
• National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022): This initiative aims to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.
• WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan (2013–2030): This plan highlights the critical role of mental health in achieving health for all.
• Other Initiatives: The National Mental Health Policy (2014), SDG target 3.4 (promoting mental health), and toll-free helplines like Manodarpan and KIRAN are also part of the efforts to address mental health and reduce suicides.

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