BENGALURU: A recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) has highlighted the increasing number of suicide cases in the state. Karnataka is one of the five states that accounts for the highest number of suicide cases in the country.
The number of suicides in the state is increasing by the year. In the study, doctors found that young people commit suicide more often due to mental, financial and academic stress.
The study also revealed that the number of suicides has increased after the arrival of Covid-19. From 2020 to 2021, there was an increase of 10,000 suicide cases.
The report states that the five states with the highest suicide rates in the country are Maharashtra (13.5 per cent), Tamil Nadu (11.5 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (9.1 per cent), West Bengal (8.2 per cent) and Karnataka (8.0 per cent). Across India, 1,29,887 cases of suicide were reported in 2017, 1,34,516 cases in 2018, 1,39,123 cases in 2019, 1,53,052 cases in 2020, and 1,64,033 cases in 2021.
Doctors point out that parents play a greater role in protecting young people who are prone to suicide. Parents should monitor their children’s activities and make them aware of their mental health.
Karnataka has already started creating awareness about mental health and taking preventive measures at the state and district levels to prevent suicides.