Incidence & Rate of male female suicides in Kerala (1995-2007)
Year | Estimated Mid-year Population (in 100,000s) | Suicide Incidence | Suicide Rate (per 100,000 of population) | ||||||
Male | Female | Total | Male | Female | Total | Male | Female | Total | |
1995 | 147.79 | 154.54 | 302.33 | 5615 | 2397 | 8012 | 37.99 | 15.51 | 26.50 |
1996 | 148.97 | 156.09 | 305.06 | 5414 | 2672 | 8086 | 36.34 | 17.12 | 26.51 |
1997 | 150.15 | 157.66 | 307.82 | 6215 | 2746 | 8961 | 41.39 | 17.42 | 29.11 |
1998 | 151.35 | 159.25 | 310.60 | 6503 | 2803 | 9306 | 42.97 | 17.60 | 29.96 |
1999 | 152.55 | 160.85 | 313.41 | 6853 | 2925 | 9778 | 44.92 | 18.18 | 31.20 |
2000 | 153.77 | 162.47 | 316.24 | 6609 | 2695 | 9304 | 42.98 | 16.59 | 29.42 |
2001 | 154.99 | 164.11 | 319.10 | 6787 | 2785 | 9572 | 43.79 | 16.97 | 30.00 |
2002 | 156.23 | 165.76 | 321.99 | 7165 | 2645 | 9810 | 45.86 | 15.96 | 30.47 |
2003 | 157.47 | 167.43 | 324.90 | 6935 | 2503 | 9438 | 44.04 | 14.95 | 29.05 |
2004 | 158.73 | 169.11 | 327.84 | 6598 | 2455 | 9053 | 41.57 | 14.52 | 27.61 |
2005 | 159.99 | 170.80 | 330.81 | 6830 | 2414 | 9244 | 42.69 | 14.13 | 27.94 |
2006 | 161.27 | 172.50 | 333.81 | 6583 | 2443 | 9026 | 40.82 | 14.16 | 27.04 |
2007 | 162.55 | 174.21 | 336.84 | 6588 | 2374 | 8962 | 40.53 | 13.63 | 26.61 |
Note: Population figures are calculated from the Census of India data for years 1991 and 2001, assuming equal per-year growth rates. |
Quick Facts:
- The rate of suicide is consistently high and almost three times India's average.
- In a day, about 26 persons take their lives - of them 18 are men and 8 are women.
- From 1995 to 2003, suicide incidence rose by 17.8%; suicide rate rose by 9.6%, then shows a gradual decrease.
- Overall male-female ratio is 73:27. Male suicide rate rising since 1996.
- Unusual spurt in incidence and rates observed for the year 1999.
Suicide rate in Kerala - Trend during 1995 to 2007
Age distribution and gender differences of those who die by suicide in Kerala - (Year: 2007)
Quick Facts:
- 80% of suicidal deaths in Kerala take place among the age group of 15-59 yrs.
- As many as 91 suicidal deaths among children below 14 years.
- Among children below 14 years, incidence among girls exceeds that among boys.
- Suicide proneness is high among young women of the age group 15-29 yrs. Male-Female ratio for that age group is 39:61 (overall ratio is 74:26)
- Suicide proneness among older persons is acute.
- Middle aged men of 45-59 yrs too are highly suicide prone. Male-Female ratio for that age group is 56:44.
 Global Aspects of Suicide |
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year approximately one million people die from suicide, which represents a global mortality rate of 16 people per 100,000 or one death every 40 seconds. It is predicted that by 2020 the rate of death will increase to one every 20 seconds. In 1998, the World Health Organization ranked suicide as the twelfth leading cause of death worldwide. | |
| WHO reports that: |
In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is now among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 (male and female). Suicide attempts are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicides. | |
Although suicide rates have traditionally been highest amongst elderly males, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of all countries. | |
Mental health disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide. | |
However, suicide results from many complex socio cultural factors and is more likely to occur during periods of socioeconomic, family and individual crisis (e.g. loss of a loved one, unemployment, sexual orientation, difficulties with developing one's identity, disassociation from one's community or other social/belief group, and honour). | |
Global aspects: Suicide rates, as reported to the WHO, are highest in Eastern European countries including Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus and the Russian Federation. These countries have suicide rates of the order of 45 to 75 per 100 000.Reported suicide rates are lowest in the countries of Mediterranean Europe and the predominantly Catholic countries of Latin America (Colombia, Paraguay) and Asia (such as the Philippines) and in Muslim countries (such as Pakistan). These countries have suicide rates of less than 6 per 100 000. In the developed countries of North America, Europe and Australasia suicide rates tend to lie between these two extremes, ranging from 10-35 per 100 000. | |
In Europe, particularly Eastern Europe, the highest suicide rates are reported for both men and women. | |
The Eastern Mediterranean Region and Central Asia republics have the lowest suicide rates. | |
Nearly 30% of all suicides worldwide occur in India and China. | |
Suicides globally by age are as follows: 55% are aged between 15 to 44 years and 45% are aged 45 years and over. | |
Youth suicide is increasing at the greatest rate | |
Overall, suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death for all US Americans, and is the third leading cause of death for young people 15-24 years. | |
Although suicide is a serious problem among the young and adults, death rates continue to be highest among older adults ages 65 years and over. (See Suicide Prevention in Kerala: The need to focus on middle-aged and aged men) (Download in PDF) | |
Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than are females. However, females are more likely to attempt suicide than are males. | |
Suicide Prevention | |
Many countries recognize the need and positive impact of Suicide Prevention Strategies, and are working to ensure they are in place. In 2004 , National Suicide Prevention Week, sponsored by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), took place. The theme was “Working Together to Save Lives.” From this year on, Suicide Prevention Week takes place in September in order to synchronize with World Suicide Prevention Day hosted by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). World Suicide Prevention Day is held on September 10 each year and represents a call for action and involvement by all governments and organizations worldwide to contribute to the cause of suicide awareness and prevention through activities, events, conferences and campaigns in each country. | |
Strategies involving restriction of access to common methods of suicide have proved to be effective in reducing suicide rates. However, there is a need to adopt multi-sectoral approaches involving other levels of intervention and activities, such as crisis centers. | |
There is compelling evidence indicating that adequate prevention and treatment of depression, alcohol and substance abuse can reduce suicide rates. | |
School-based interventions involving crisis management, self-esteem enhancement and the development of coping skills and healthy decision making have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of suicide among the youth. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) www.med.uio.no/iasp/index (link) provides a forum for national and local organisations, researchers, volunteers, clinicians and professionals to share knowledge, provide support and to collaborate in suicide prevention around the world. Suicide is a complex and multi-dimensional problem. With teamwork and cooperation, we can save lives. |
