More than 40% of city's total suicide cases due to family problems, 32% due to physical illness - Bengaluru accounts for maximum such deaths across 53 major cities of country. If the latest data by the 

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on the number of suicides is anything to go by, Bengalureans are finding it difficult to navigate family issues and health concerns.

To an extent, these concerns are forcing them to take the extreme step. NCRB's latest report on accidental deaths and suicides shows that while more than 40% of the total suicide cases in Bengaluru in 

2023 were due to family problems, nearly 32% of the cases were due to physical illness or prolonged physical illness. Both reasons put together accounted for nearly 75% of lives lost to suicide in the city.

Bengaluru has also recorded the highest number of suicides from these causes across all 53 major cities in India.

The NCRB report shows that the IT city has recorded an increase of 2.5% in suicide cases in 2023 when compared with 2022 data. As many as 2,370 suicides were reported in 2023, against 2,313 cases in 2022. Out of these, as many as 1,005 suicides were related to family problems, and 748 were due to illness or prolonged illness.

City-based mental healthcare professionals opine that family problems lead to a large number of suicides as Indian society remains interconnected despite the rise of nuclear families. Family problems include issues such as dowry, extramarital affairs, infertility, and various forms of domestic violence (physical, emotional, financial, sexual).

"Along with family issues, gender expectations, and the clash between tradition and modernity, add to stress, especially in a city like Bengaluru, where support systems may be limited. Moreover, mental health problems are under-recognised and undertreated in India due to stigma and a lack of professionals, leading to high suicide cases due to these issues," said Dr. Vijay C, a psycho-oncologist at Aster Whitefield.

Substance use disorders and chronic physical illnesses like cancer or kidney disease add financial and emotional burdens, sometimes leading to feelings of hopelessness and suicide risk.

Experts underline the need for multi-tiered interventions, from primary to tertiary care, capacity building, and gatekeeper training for a wide range of community stakeholders such as healthcare workers, teachers, police, and community leadersTargeted interventions for vulnerable groups, especially young adults, are also recommended.

Bankruptcy and indebtedness also led to 210 Bengalureans killing themselves, the highest number of suicides due to this reason across all major cities in India. The city also recorded 66 suicides due to 

failure in examination, the highest number after Mumbai. Last but not least, 164 suicide cases due to love affairs were also reported from the city. Other causes of suicides included professional/career 

problems, sense of isolation, abuse, violence, mental disorders, addiction to alcohol, financial loss, death of loved ones, etc. While Bengaluru is witnessing a surge in cases, Karnataka's percentage share in 

suicides across the country has gone down.

In 2022, as many as 13,606 suicide cases were reported from the state; this number went down to 13,330 in 2023.

66 Along with family issues, gender expectations, and the clash between tradition and modernity, add to stress, especially in a city like Bengaluru, where support systems may be limited

-Dr. Vijay C, psycho-oncologist

India scenario

A total of 1,71,418 suicides were reported in the country during 2023, showing an increase of 0.3% in comparison to 2022, and the rate of suicides decreased by 0.8% during 2023 over 2022.

The majority of suicides were reported in Maharashtra (22,687), followed by 19,483 suicides in Tamil Nadu, 15,662 suicides in Madhya Pradesh, 13,330 suicides in Karnataka, and 12,819 suicides in West Bengal. These 5 States together accounted for 49.0% of the total suicides reported in the country.

(If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out for help. Dial 104 to get in touch with Arogya Sahayavani)