Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the rate of suicides has increased by 35 per cent from the year 2000 to 2015 as per the data released by National Health Profile, 2018;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken to bring down the cases of suicides in the country?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) & (b): As per the National Health Profile, 2018 the number of people committing suicide has increased by 23.04% during 2000 to 2015. However, as per the National Mental Health Survey, 2016 conducted in 12 States of the country, 0.9 % of the population above 18 years of age reported high suicidal risk.
(c): To address the burden of mental disorders, the Government of India is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) since 1982. The Government is supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 655 districts of the country with the objectives to:
(i) Provide suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills training and counselling in schools and colleges.
(ii) Provide mental health services including prevention, promotion and long-term continuing care at different levels of district healthcare delivery system.
(iii) Augment institutional capacity in terms of infrastructure, equipment and human resource for mental healthcare.
(iv) Promote community awareness and participation in the delivery of mental healthcare services.