79 percent of those who die by suicide in Kerala are Hindus
Introductory Memo: Kerala continues to report a suicide rate significantly higher than the national average, with 10,865 suicide deaths recorded in 2024, according to the data cited above. Men accounted for the majority of deaths, while unemployment, family problems, illness, financial difficulties, and substance use were among the reported contributing factors. Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest number of suicides in the state, with family problems identified as a major reported cause. The figures highlight the need for stronger community support, early mental-health intervention, suicide-prevention services, and coordinated action by local governments and social organisations to support people facing severe emotional, social, and financial difficulties.
Analytical view/ Analysis: Hindu community is not getting a social protection to avoid suicide. There should be some community plans to protect the Hindu people from problems and to give a helping hand.
79 percent of those who die by suicide in Kerala are Hindus
79 percent of those who die by suicide in Kerala are Hindus. 10.3 percent are Christians and 9.7 percent are Muslims. Psychologists and social scientists assess that the lack of religious cohesion among Hindus and the failure to ensure mutual support adequately are the reasons why the highest number of suicides occur from the Hindu community. Experts say that the strong influence of Muslim and Christian churches, their supportive approach in social and economic matters, and suicide prevention measures are the reasons that help deter them from suicide. The latest data released in this regard is from 2024. At the national level, Kerala itself has the highest percentage of suicides.
The average suicide rate in Kerala’s population is 30.2 per one lakh. The national average is only 12.2. Kerala’s suicide rate is at least two and a half times the national average. In Kerala, the largest number of people die by suicide due to unemployment. It is assessed that not getting attractive employment despite having higher education is becoming a cause of suicide. Experts point out that in Kerala’s family system, the inferiority complex or social questioning faced by unemployed men also affects suicide. Men account for 82 percent of total suicides. A study by the central government’s Crime Records Bureau makes it clear that the majority of them are married. In 2024, 10,865 people died by suicide in Kerala. Of these, 8865 were men. Kerala ranks fourth in the number of people who died by suicide. A total of 1,70,746 people died by suicide in India. The highest number of suicides occurred in Tamil Nadu, 19,965. While 13,151 people died by suicide in Karnataka and 10,975 in Telangana, Kerala is in the next fourth position. Andhra, where 8302 people died by suicide, is in fourth place.
At the national level, most people died by suicide following family problems. Police investigations have found that family problems were the cause of suicide for 37.5 percent of people. Illness was the reason for 17.9 percent of people to die by suicide. Drug use, alcohol consumption, financial problems, and unemployment are also cited as causes of suicide. The age group in which the highest number of people died by suicide is between 18 and 30 years. Those between 30 and 45 years are next. Psychologists and social scientists assess it as a very notable phenomenon that most of those who died by suicide were daily wage workers. Compared to 2023, suicides in Kerala have decreased slightly. In 2023, 10,972 people died by suicide. In 2022, 10,162 people did.
In Kerala, the highest number of suicides has occurred in the capital district, Thiruvananthapuram. Kollam, which was previously in first place, has now moved to second place. The suicide rate in the capital is 16.8 per lakh. In 2024, 479 people died by suicide in the capital. The previous year, it was 410 people.
Unlike the causes of suicide at the national level, family problems are the most important cause of suicide in the capital. Of the 479 deaths, 225 were following family problems. While incurable diseases and illnesses led to the suicides of 94 people, drugs and alcohol consumption led to the suicides of 30 people. 14 people died by suicide following cancer. While 17 people died in the capital following mental illness and 19 following financial collapse and debt, 23 people died by suicide in the capital city due to disappointment in love. Social scientists opine that the increasing tendency toward suicide in Kerala, which has the highest levels of education and women’s education in India, should be examined and measures should be taken. Local self-government institutions and social movements need to take the initiative in this. Experts also say that the campaign should be strengthened in such a way that the maxim that suicide is not a solution to anything can reach the thoughts of those trying to die by suicide themselves amid a breakdown.
Reference
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2802372/
- NCRB Data on accidents and suicides
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- Mathrubhumi https://share.google/73GiSoHeb1y7D81gv
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/suicide-rate-higher-among-men-says-study/article69744710.ece
Hindusthan Samachar Malyalam https://share.google/nr1LLmBh58owEM5lY
News at a Glance: In Kerala’s suicide 79 % are Hindus
By the Numbers: 10,865 suicide happened in 2024.10540 are Hindus
Academic Insight: Study on the cause what is the reasons of other communities are not resorting suicide.
Social Media Pulse: Nil
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