Lok Sabha Question No. 983 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-08
Subject: Accidental Deaths & Suicides
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 983

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 08 TH  FEBRUARY, 2022/ MAGHA 19, 1943 (SAKA)

ACCIDENTAL DEATHS & SUICIDES

983.     SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether cases of suicide in the country has increased after the COVID19 pandemic as per 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India' for the year 2020; if so, the details and the findings thereof;
- (b)  whether  there  has  been  an  increase  of  suicide  of  children,  students, house wives, unemployed, and self-employed during the COVID-19 lockdown;  if  so,  the  details  category-  wise,  year-wise,  State  UT  -  wise, including the percentage of increase;
- (c) whether the student suicides increased by 21 percent during the covid period; if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government is taking proactive steps in coordination with different  Ministries  to  fight  the  mental  health  crisis  many  are  facing postlockdown and if so, the details thereof; and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (d): National  Crime  Records  Bureau  (NCRB)  compiles  statistic  on accidental deaths and suicide from the State/Union Territories and publishes  the  same  annually  as  'Accidental  Deaths  &  Suicides  in  India'. Published reports are available till the year 2020. NCRB does not maintain

## L.S.US.Q.NO.983 FOR 08.02.2022

specific  data  with  respect  to  suicide  of  children,  students,  housewives, unemployed and self employed during COVID-19 lockdown period.

The Government has however, taken a number of initiatives to provide psychosocial support to people during COVID-19. These initiatives include:

(i) Setting up of a 24/7 helpline to provide psychosocial support, by mental health professionals, to the entire affected population, divided into different target groups viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers.

(ii)  Issuance  of  guidelines/  advisories  on  management  of  mental  health issues, catering to different segments of the society.

(iii)  Advocacy through various media platforms in the form of creative and audio-visual  materials  on  managing  stress  and  anxiety,  and  promoting  an environment of support and care for all.

(iv)  Issuance  of  detailed  guidelines  by  the  National  Institute  of  Mental Health  and  Neurosciences  (NIMHANS),  Bengaluru-  "Mental  Health  in  the times of COVID-19 Pandemic - Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Health Care Settings".

## L.S.US.Q.NO.983 FOR 08.02.2022

(v)  Further,  to  address  the  burden  of  mental  disorders,  the  Government  is implementing the National  Mental  Health  Programme  (NMHP)  and  is supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 692 districts of the country.  The programme aims to provide suicide  prevention  services,  work  place  stress  management,  life  skills training  and  counselling  in  schools  and  colleges;  mental  health  services including prevention, promotion and long-term continuing care at different levels  of  district  healthcare  delivery  system  and  promote  community awareness and participation in the delivery of mental healthcare services.

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