8058 people ended lives in Telangana last year; 471 of them farmers: NCRB report

In 2019, 7,675 people ended their lives. Of them, 5893 were men, 2164 women, and one transgender. In Hyderabad city, 398 people died by suicide last year. It should be recalled that in 2019, there was a drop of 2.2 percent in suicide rate compared to 2018. In 2018 around 7,845 people ended their lives in the state.

A total of 1,53,052 suicides were reported in the country during 2020 showing an increase of 10 percent compared to 2019. Given the year-on-year jump, it is the fourth-highest since 1967.Maharashtra tops the list with 19,909 suicides followed by 16,883 suicides in Tamil Nadu, 14,578 in Madhya Pradesh, 13,103 in West Bengal, and 12,259 suicides in Karnataka.

Cause of Suicide in Telangana

The main cause of suicide in the state is family problems. Around 4190 people ended their lives due to family problems. Of whom, 947 people ended their lives due to financial reasons. It could be either bankruptcy or mounting debts.

Around 104 people committed suicide due to troubled marriages. Nearly 66 people died by suicide due to failure in examinations. 950 people took the extreme step because they were suffering from health problems. 195 people ended their lives due to failed love affairs. Over 60 people in Telangana took the extreme step due to poverty. Lone transgender ended his life due to health problems.

Poverty is the biggest reason for suicide in the country. Nearly 69 percent of people who ended their lives were reeling under poverty. Twenty-five percent were facing unemployment. Seventeen percent of people who ended their lives were drug abusers or alcoholics. Sixteen percent of people committed suicide because they were suffering from different ailments. Fourteen percent of people who ended their lives were having family problems.

Socio-economic status

Over 3831 daily wage earners and 1087 self-employed people died by suicide. Likewise, 471 farmers ended their lives. Farmer suicides in Telangana are the fourth highest in the country. Over 489 students have also ended their lives. Nearly 581 salaried employees and 150 unemployed youth died by suicide.

Of the total deceased, 4047 people were earning less than Rs 1 lakh per year. Of them, 2942 were men and 1104 were women. Over 3174 people who died by suicide were earning less than Rs 5 lakh rupees per year. Of whom, 2320 were men and 854 were women.

Of the suicide victims, 739 were earning Rs 5 lakh-Rs 10 lakh. Ninety-eight victims were those who were earning more than Rs 10 lakh per year.

Educational background:

Dividing the victims based on their educational qualifications, NCRB revealed that the rate of suicides dips with higher degrees of education.

Of the total suicides in Telangana, 2386 did not have academic degrees. Figures revealed more committed suicide than women in this category. A total of 1731 men without academic degrees killed themselves in comparison to 655 women.

While 1,456 people who died by suicide have education till primary level, 1,336 studied till Class VIII. The only trans-person who died by suicide studied up to class VIII. Of the total victims, 1504 had studied till Class X, 829 till Intermediate, 303 till graduation. Sixty-five were diploma holders and 30 others were professionals.

(Suicide prevention helpline in Telangana: Roshni Trust: 040-66202000, One Life: 7893078930. Also, you can contact 9152987821, 9152987821)