Every year, when the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) releases statistics on suicide deaths in India, the demand to address the issue grows louder. The most recent figures for 2021, released on August 30, 2022, show that suicides claimed 1,64,033 lives during that year.
Two decades into the 21st century, suicide deaths remain a major source of social distress and public policy concern in India. Any loss of life is deeply unfortunate, but the notion of suicide is particularly distressing and beyond rationalization for the affected family.
blame technology
One of the causes of suicide, which is prevalent in contemporary discussions, is the increasing role of digital technologies. Technology is being blamed time and again for suicides due to depression and other mental health issues. Factors such as cyberbullying, loss of self-esteem due to social media, excessive binge-watching of online content or heavy reliance on virtual followers/communities for verification are said to contribute to the issue. It is clear that the more technology gains impact on the human condition, the greater will be its role in experiencing the best and worst of the human experience.
However, it would be good for us to realize that technology is neither at the root of the problem nor the perfect solution. Suicide is a reality that society must respond to in the most sensitive and holistic way possible. Not that technology has no role to play in cases of adverse mental health conditions or suicides; The issue is sensationalist and misdirected analysis of the causes of suicide. It diverts attention from a broader understanding of the issue and a more appropriate solution to it.
For example, no one can deny the link between cyberbullying and suicidal thoughts and attempts. According to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health in the US, participants who experienced cyberbullying were four times more likely to commit suicide and attempt suicide than those who did not. However, similar results also hold true for people who are personally bullied. The conclusion is that the medium of bullying is not the only culprit; It is the bullying itself that needs to be addressed. Awareness campaigns, sensitization programmes, community support and counseling services are generally considered good solutions against bullying – cyber or otherwise.
Read also | Sensational, say psychiatrists, strict not to repeat suicide stories
Tamil Nadu case
News reports of a spate of suicides, particularly in Tamil Nadu, also make this point clear. Early news reports have linked several suicide incidents with gambling addiction, notably online rummy games, These reports received an overwhelming policy response from the Tamil Nadu government in the form of an ordinance that banned most online games played for money, including rummy and poker. Upon closer examination, several independent studies such as Rotary’s Rainbow Project found a high degree of exaggeration in reports linking online rummy games to suicide deaths in the state.
The real causes of these deaths were different from those previously reported. In addition, experts researching suicide, including Sandeep Shah, professor of psychology at Sri Govind Guru University, Gujarat, made direct representations to the Tamil Nadu government on insufficient data for an association between suicide and online gaming.
An analysis of NCRB data on suicide deaths in Tamil Nadu makes it clear that the policy response is not sufficient to address the magnitude of the crisis in the state. Tamil Nadu has consistently had the highest share of suicide deaths in the country, accounting for over 11% of the total cases in the past decade and nearly 19,000 cases in 2021 alone.
According to the NCRB, family problems, illness, substance abuse and marriage/love issues contribute to more than two-thirds of suicide deaths in India alone. Therefore, it is up to the Tamil Nadu government to address these root causes and develop a holistic policy response to reduce future cases. Rather than a top-down policy formulation, focusing only on a few high-profile incidents, an inclusive community-based mental health and suicide-prevention approach may prove more effective in saving lives. In addition, the State may consider how technical measures by service providers may also form part of this policy response.
use of technology
The central government, on its part, is already recognizing the potential role of technology in improving the mental health outcomes of citizens. In February, it announced a national tele-mental health program to provide access to free, round-the-clock mental health interventions in remote and under-served areas. Acceptance of suicidal thoughts and efforts to address a host of interrelated causes and effects are essential to formulate effective and proportionate policy prescriptions. While technology is certainly an agent of this complex matrix, it can be seen neither as a root cause nor as a panacea.
Those in distress or suicidal tendencies can call on any of these numbers for help and counseling Contact
Dhruv Garg and Dedipyaman Shukla are independent Delhi based lawyers with interests in technology, law and policy