Lok Sabha Question No. 1387 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Suicide cases
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1387

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2023/ AGRAHAYANA 21, 1945 (SAKA)

SUICIDE CASES

1387.    SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether suicide cases are the second most prevalent cause of death among young citizens aged between 15-29;

(b)  if  so,  the  number  of  suicide  cases  reported  in  the  country  during  the last four years and the current year, age-wise and State/UT-wise including Jharkhand;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  comprehensive  study  to understand major causes of suicide among young people in the country;

(d) if so, the details and the outcomes thereof;

(e) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f)  the  details  of  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  reduce  suicide cases amongst young individuals in the country?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (f): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes data on suicides in its publication 'Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI)'. The published reports till the year 2022 are available on NCRB's website (https://ncrb.gov.in).

With  a  view  to  address  the  burden  of  mental  disorders,  Government  of India  is  implementing  the  National  Mental  Health  Programme  (NMHP)  in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the  NMHP  has  been  sanctioned  for  implementation  in  738  districts  for which  support  is  provided  to  States/UTs  through  the  National  Health Mission.  Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels, inter- alia, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing  care  and  support  to  persons  with  severe  mental  disorders, drugs,  outreach  services,  ambulance  services  etc.  In  addition  to  above services, there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the district level. The objectives of DMHP are:

- i. to provide suicide prevention services, work place stress management,  life  skills  training  and  counselling  in  schools  and colleges.
- ii. to  provide  mental  health  services  including  prevention,  promotion and long-term continuing care at different levels of district healthcare delivery system.
- iii. to augment institutional capacity in terms of infrastructure, equipment and human resource for mental healthcare.
- iv. to promote community awareness and participation in the delivery of
5. mental healthcare services.

Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  Ministry  (MoH&FW)  has  also formulated  country's first National Suicide Prevention Strategy.  The Strategy is available on its website (www.mohfw.gov.in).

Besides the above, MoH&FW has launched a 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' on 10th October, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 04.12.2023, 34 States/ UTs have set up 46 Tele MANAS Cells and have started  mental  health  services  and  more  than  4,81,000 calls  have  been handled on the helpline.

Further, Department of Higher Education has also been requested for wide publicity of NTMHP / Tele MANAS in the educational institutes under their department and share the helpline number among the students to access the  helpline  during  stressful  and  challenging  times.  All  States/UTs  have also  been  requested  for  wide  circulation  and  publicity  of  NTMHP  /  Tele MANAS  in  the respective States/UTs especially among  students  in educational institutions. All Institutes of National Importance, AIIMS and Central Government  Medical  Colleges  have  also  been  requested to publicize Tele MANAS among students to access the helpline at any time for free and confidential support.

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