Let me show you the actual statistics behind this. The burden of suicide does not fall equally. If we look closely, men accounted for nearly 71.8% of suicide deaths in 2022, while women comprised around 28.2% (Bandita Abhijita et al., 2024). This gap highlights the silent struggles men face, often because of societal expectations of “strength” that discourage them from seeking help.
Among the youth, the situation is even more alarming. Individuals aged 15-24 years contribute to nearly 35% of suicides in India (Gupta & Basera, 2021). In the year 2019, India recorded annual youth suicide rates as 80 per 100,000 in females and 34 per 100,000 in males (compared to 10.4 per 100,000 in the general Indian population) (Jena et al., 2024). These numbers are surprising but they are the truth of the young population living in India.
Do you know, students remain one of the most vulnerable groups in all this. In 2022, 13,044 student suicides were reported, making up 7.6% of all suicides (PTI, 2024). Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh accounted for nearly one-third of these deaths (Verma, 2022). Even more concerning is the gender divide in this. While male student suicides dropped by 6%, female student suicides increased by 7% between 2021 and 2022 (Chaturvedi, 2024).
These numbers are disturbing, and they bring to only one question—Why? This is the first question that comes to mind if we hear such news. But we forget that suicide is rarely caused by one factor. It is often the result of multiple intersecting pressures that do not come into the picture. The NCRB highlights family conflicts, mental and physical illnesses, relationship distress, financial hardship, and substance abuse as leading contributors to suicide (Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy, 2025). For students, academic pressure, competitive environments, and the lack of emotional support act as significant risk factors. Social stigma around mental health and the absence of accessible counseling services further deepen the crisis (PTI, 2024).
While these numbers are alarming, they also highlight an opportunity for change. With the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, suicide attempts were decriminalized. This shift focused on care rather than punishment. Government initiatives like the KIRAN Helpline (1800-599-0019) and Tele-MANAS provide 24×7 mental health support in multiple languages (MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMES, 2024).
But beyond government support, community and organizational initiatives are equally critical. They play a major role in strengthening society’s response to mental health challenges. This is where Apex Psychological Solutions steps forward. Based in Delhi, Apex Psychological Solutions provides professional services including counseling, therapy for mood and anxiety disorders, child and adolescent guidance, and workplace wellness programs. They have continuously worked to make mental health services approachable, stigma-free, and impactful.
Now, through their upcoming initiative “Manoत्साह”, Apex is taking an active role in suicide prevention and awareness. This event is designed to bring together communities, professionals, and individuals to foster open conversations about suicide, equip people with Coping Strategies, hold Panel Discussions with real-life stories of how counseling saves lives, provide a way to express and process emotions through Art and Journaling, share songs that give you strength through the Survival Playlist Booth, and much more.
“Manoत्साह” is not just an event—it is a movement of hope, reminding us that when society stands together, everything is possible, even healing.
No one should have to fight their battles alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember one thing, seeking counseling is a sign of strength, not weakness. Organizations like Apex Psychological Solutions are here to listen, to guide, and to provide the tools for resilience.
And when despair feels overwhelming, just remember—help is closer than you think. And through initiatives like Manoत्साह, we can create a culture where speaking up and seeking help is not just encouraged but celebrated.
“Remember, you are stronger than you realize”.
References
Arya, V., Page, A., Mayer, P., Vijayakumar, L., Shin, S., Pirkis, J., & Armstrong, G. (2023). Insights from use of police data for suicide surveillance in India: An interim step toward suicide surveillance in low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 12, 100500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100500
Bandita Abhijita, Jilisha Gnanadhas, Sujita Kumar Kar, Cherian, A. V., & Menon, V. (2024). The NCRB Suicide in India 2022 Report: Key Time Trends and Implications. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176241240699
Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy. (2025, August 12). CMHLP. https://cmhlp.org/imho/blog/takeaways-from-the-ncrb-data-on-suicide-for-2022
Chaturvedi, M. (2024, August 29). Student suicides now exceed farmers’ in India: Report. India Today. http://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/ncrb-student-suicides-now-exceed-farmers-in-india-2589832-2024-08-29
Gupta, S., & Basera, D. (2021). Youth Suicide in India: A Critical Review and Implication for the National Suicide Prevention Policy. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, 88(1), 003022282110451. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228211045169
Jena, S., Swain, P. K., Senapati, R. E., & Acharya, S. K. (2024). Trajectory of suicide among Indian children and adolescents: a pooled analysis of national data from 1995 to 2021. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-024-00818-9
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMES. (2024). Pib.gov.in. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2039067
PTI. (2024, August 28). India’s student suicide rate has surpassed overall trend, population growth rate: Report. The Economic Times; Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/indias-student-suicide-rate-has-surpassed-overall-trend-population-growth-rate-report/articleshow/112866943.cms
Singh, N. (2024, July 11). India records 171,000 suicides in 2022, highest ever: NCRB report. @Bsindia; Business Standard. https://mybs.in/2dXNEed
Verma, T. (2022, December 11). Student suicides in India at a five-year high, majority from Maharashtra: NCRB data. The Indian Express. http://indianexpress.com/article/education/student-suicides-in-india-five-year-high-ncrb-data-8122116
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