The fast-paced lifestyle, work stress, pressure to keep up in social circles all of these have resulted in a lot of mental health disorders in the current generation. Unable to deal with the anxieties or depression people commit suicide. To create more awareness and prevent suicides, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 every year. The day is observed by the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating with the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). The day has been observed since the year 2003. By the year 2011, 40 countries marked the occasion. How To Stop Suicides: Spot Warning Signs and Risk Factors Before It's Too Late. 

Each year there is a theme around which awareness programmes are held. The theme for 2018 is 'Working Together to Prevent Suicide.' This theme aims to stress the importance of coming together to prevent the cause. All of us have a role to play and if we come together we can deal with the suicidal behaviour and such challenges more effectively. Being there for your friends, family, who may be going through a tough time, to talk them out, offer support is very essential. A good mental health needs to be stressed upon.

Coming to India, the suicide cases are only on the rise. According to 2012 records, India has the highest suicide rate in the world. There are several factors- social, economic, academic pressure, work stress, relationship concerns, lack of family support which are resulting in more and more people taking their lives. Men’s Health Week 2018: Understanding 5 Shocking Facts About Depression and Suicides in Men. 

Let us look at some facts about suicides in India:

  • About half a million suicides occur in India every year! About 5 crores of people suffer from depression.

  • As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from the year 2015, every hour one student commits suicide in the country. In 5 years, almost 40,000 students killed themselves.

  • Along with students, the agrarian crisis is a major factor of suicide. Farmer suicides are also on the rise. Almost 3 lakh farmers have committed suicide in the country in the last 20 years.

  • Family problems and illness contribute to 44% of suicides. Domestic violence, sexual violence is also a major reason driving women to end their lives.

  • The suicide rates are highest in the age group of 15-30 years. The suicide rate is highest among the youth in the country.

  • The suicides rates are higher in the southern and eastern states of the country.

  • There are many suicide deaths that took place but the cause behind the extreme step was not to figure out.

These facts stress how much our country's youth needs help. Comparatively, there is more talk on mental health as compared to previous years but it is still not enough. The stress, anxiety, depression has wrapped around several people. It is our responsibility to come together, talk to those who seek help and just be kind, offer support and motivate them to a right path. As psychiatrists are doing their job, we as a society can come together and do a lot. There needs to be more and more awareness about mental health, causes and effects. Just reaching out to people in times of need is important.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2018 09:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).