Suicidal tendencies among young people is a major unnoticed or unheard problem in India. The number of deaths is increasing every year and according to Statista’s report, 59.11 thousand people in the age group of 18-30 years committed suicide in 2022 alone.

To know the reasons behind suicidal behavior, we should understand the survivor’s perspective. This is very important to develop suicide prevention strategies more effectively. The three most important factors that lead to suicide attempts are:

• Background Factors: These are things about a person’s life and surroundings that make them more vulnerable to feeling overwhelmed or hopeless. For example, if someone is living in a stressful environment, dealing with ongoing problems at home or in relationships, or facing constant pressure in school or work, these factors can build up and make them more susceptible to suicidal thoughts.
• Psychological Distress: This refers to the intense emotional and mental pain that a person might be feeling. It includes feelings like deep sadness, anxiety, or anger, as well as negative thoughts about themselves or their situation. When someone is in a state of psychological distress, they might feel trapped, like there’s no way out, which can lead to thoughts of suicide.
• Intervening Factors: These are the immediate triggers or situations that push someone from just thinking about suicide to actually attempting it. This could be something like a big argument with a loved one, a sudden loss, or an impulsive moment where the person decides they can’t handle their pain anymore. If they have easy access to a way to harm themselves, or if they’re feeling impulsive, these factors can lead to a suicide attempt.

Priority Areas of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy:

To overcome this problem, the Indian government has introduced the NSPS, which includes the following priority areas for suicide prevention:

• First is to strengthen leadership and teamwork within institutions across the country.
• Boosting health services to offer better support and prevention for those at risk of suicide.
• Building stronger and more supportive communities to reduce the stigma around talking about suicide.
• Improve tracking and gather more insights to help prevent suicide more effectively.