“Suicide in Kerala: a sociological study”

SUBMITTED BY SUBMITTED TO:

Sandeep Kumar Dr.JisuKetanPattanaik

Roll no.- 829 Assistant Professor

Semester-B Sociology

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF STUDY AND

RESEARCH IN LAW

RANChi

1|
 INTRODUCTION
The word 'suicide' was first used by Sir Thomas Browne in 1642 in his book 'Religio Medici'.
The word originated from 'Sui' or 'oneself' and 'Caedes' meaning 'murder'. Suicide is “a self-
inflicted death in which one makes an intentional, direct and conscious effort to end one’s
life”.Throughout history, suicide has been both condemned and praised by various societies.
It is condemned by Islam, Judaism and Christianity, and attempts are punishable by law in
several countries”. However, in Hinduism and Buddhism, various forms of taking one’s own
life have been tolerated. The practice of Sati or Sutee and seppuku (also called hara-kiri) are
examples of such tolerance.Suicide is immoral in light of the fact that it denies social duties
with an end goal to resolve individual emergency which transforms it as a social issue
autonomous of individual misery. It additionally speaks to a quantifiable misfortune to the
general public. Everyone no less than one time ought to have thought of suicide. Suicidal act
isn't a segregated occasion as it is constantly identified with the vest of an individual life.
Suicide isn't indeed, even a response of outer pressure; it is the result of numerous powers in
the life of person. Typically conferring or endeavouring suicide indicates passionate
unsettling influences, loss of riches, status, eminence, separating of family ties, seclusion and
dismissal. . Numerous suicidal people have profoundly controlled conduct or they tend to see
their circumstance with exclusive focus. Suicide can be classified into several types of which
the most important being completed suicide; in which the individual dies as a result of the
self-destructive act, attempted suicide, in which the individual survives the act; and suicidal
ideation, which refers to the individual thinking about and planning suicidal behaviour,
though not putting these thoughts into action. Suicide is one among the ten leading causes of
death world over. The risk of suicide after a non-fatal suicide behaviour is 100 times more
than that of general population. Most of the attempts are planned and precautions are often
taken to ensure discovery. That is, often a suicidal patient gives a warning, signal or feelers
often to more than one person.A lot of factors are found to be associated with suicidal
behaviour. Suicides are found to be more in men, while attempts are about four times more in
female. The suicide rates usually increase with age, but the adolescent peek is now becoming
more and more significant. There are percentage differences among different religious
groups. A marriage was assumed to get more stable with the birth of children. However,
some findings contradict it, especially in unhappy married life. It has been observed that,
individuals becoming suicidal have identified psychiatric disturbance as the strongest
predictor of future suicidality. In particular, both unipolar and bipolar depressions are

2|
associated with the greatest suicidal risk. Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is
one of life’s most challenging journeys. When the death is from suicide, family members and
friends can experience an even more complex kind of grief. While trying to cope with the
pain of their sudden loss, they are overwhelmed by feelings of blame, anger and
incomprehension. Adding to their burden is the stigma that still surrounds suicide. Survivors
of suicide and their friends can help each other and themselves by gaining an understanding
of grief after suicide Family characteristics play an important role, including the quality of
family relationships both before and after the suicide, and how well the family is able to
stabilise, support each other to deal with their loss, and carry on their lives.Kerala, the
suicidal capital of India witness a flood of suicide insanity clearing over the whole populace.
It is noticed that in this "Divine beings possess nation" when a man confers suicide ten
endeavours and hundred has suicidal thoughts. Another reality is that more ladies endeavour
to confer suicide yet it is men who do it effectively.Regardless of low levels of income,
Kerala society has effectively built a fall in ripeness, an ascent in future during childbirth, and
a decrease in birth, passing and baby death rates. Kerala acts as a model for other states when
it talked about development aspects. Without a doubt, its accomplishments on the wellbeing
front are considered to be similar to those of created nations. However, for quite a while,
Kerala has been revealing one of the most astounding suicide rates in the nation. The primary
purpose of this research into is to think about and to evaluate the central point in charge of
suicide among suicide attempters in the province of Kerala. The suicide is unmistakable,
unsurprising and preventable. It essentially isn't valid that suicide can't be perceived before
the catastrophe.For what reason does an individual go for self-damaging conduct and
annihilate himself? What are the materials, mental or sociological makes that drive people go
for the limit of wrecking himself? What does suicide truly demonstrate? Could the cutting
edge development accomplish something positive to stop of self-destruction?

3|
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

As indicated by Durkheim (Suicide (French: Le suicide) 1897) there are four kinds of
suicide. As such these classifications, this reflects a breakdown in the connection between the
individual and society.
Egoistic Suicide: Egoistic Suicide according to Durkheim, is caused by lack of social
integration of society in the religious sphere, domestic, and the political sphere. The more
weakened the groups to which he belongs, the less he depends on them, the more he
consequently depends only on himself and recognize no other rules of conduct that are
founded on his private interests. The individual ego asserts itself to excess in the face of the
social ego and at its expense; it may be called egoistic the type of suicide springing from
excessive individualism.

Altruistic Suicide: Altruistic Suicide is characterized by a sense of being overwhelmed by a

group's goals and beliefs. It occurs in societies with high integration, where individual needs
are seen as less important than the society's needs as a whole. If excessive individuation leads
to suicide, insufficient individuation has the same effects. When a man has become detached
from society, he encounters less resistance to suicide in himself, and he does so likewise
when social integration is too strong.

Anomic suicide: This type of suicide is due to certain breakdown of social equilibrium, such
as bankruptcy or after winning a lottery. In other words, anomic suicide takes place in a
situation which has cropped up suddenly. It reflects an individual's moral confusion and lack
of social direction, which is related to dramatic social and economic upheaval. It is the
product of moral deregulation and a lack of definition of legitimate aspirations through a
restraining social ethic, which could impose meaning and order on the individual conscience.

Fatalistic suicide: Fatalistic suicide is the opposite of anomic suicide. It happen when a
person is excessively regulated, when their futures are pitilessly blocked and passions
violently choked by oppressive discipline. It occurs in overly oppressive societies, causing
people to prefer to die than to carry on living within their society. A good example would be
that some people prefer to die than live in a prison with constant abuse and excessive
regulation that prohibits them from pursuing their desires. This type of suicide is due to
overregulation in society.

4|
Andrew E. Henry and James F. Short have made an attempt to study the correlation between
the rate of suicide and business cycles. According to them, “Suicide tends to rise during
periods of depression and to fall during periods of prosperity. But the negative reaction of
suicide to depression is stronger than the negative reaction of suicide to prosperity”. This
work will help us to find correlation between unemployment and suicide especially in youths.

The modern Indian author, Hans Nag Paul, has studied the problem of suicide in relation to
urbanisation and modernisation. According to him, “…the growth of urbanisation and
industrialisation during the past four decades has clearly affected the traditional forms of
socialisation and social control. This has led to increasing rates of all types of deviant
behaviour, juvenile delinquency and crime, especially in large cities. Moreover, violent
behaviour has also increased considerably throughout the country.” This could be one of the
reasons for the high rate of suicides in Kerala.

Sarah George found in a study conducted that “According to the respondents, all of them said
that they would not have attempted suicide if they had someone in whom they could have
confided their problems. This proves that suicide prevention measures are extremely
essential” This is a conclusion reached after interviewing 20 victims of attempted suicide,
who survived.

According to Dr.A.K.Jayasree, “As suicide is influenced to a great extent by the attitudes

and value systems of society, community level prevention are equally important, especially in
long term strategies”. The impact of social institution on individual behaviour would help to
prevent alarming rates of suicide.

5|
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
We all have come across the saying that Knowledge is power and intact a person with
wisdom which help to face any problem. Knowledge makes a man trained in finding solution
of the problem not making him run away from it. It makes person brave not coward. With
knowledge comes prosperity and well-being in the society. Simply saying it makes living life
in better way. But then why does a state like Kerala with highest literacy, better living
standard and harmonies functioning of the state instrumentalists tops the list of most suicides
in a state in the country. Why does a state with such development level commit such
cowardice act? The above following paradox served as the driving force to choose such a
topic for research.
The following research paper will be beneficial in identification of the problem of suicide and
mind-set of the people which make lead to such immoral acts. Individual is part of society
and his actions causes a relevant impact in the society. Finding reasons and solution will help
to make society aware of the problem. Once the society gets aware then it becomes very easy
for the policy makers to regulate and control such acts. For example in Jainism there is a
practice by which commit suicide by way of starvation. Literally saying it is suicide but due
lack of awareness and religious sanction makes such practises prevalent and this factor makes
the government helpless to get away with such rituals.
The aim of the paper is to dig out the factors which lead to attempt and commitment of
suicide. This paper will try to bring reasons and solutions and aware people not to take such
adverse actions.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The following research problem deals with the theories of suicides propounded by Durkheim
(Suicide (French: Le suicide) 1897) which talks about four kinds of suicide. As such these
classifications, this reflects a breakdown in the connection between the individual and
society. Egoistic suicide joins the thought that a person has no worry for their locale and no
enthusiasm for being associated with it.Altruistic suicide is when society has a strict hold
over the individual, giving the person too little individualism. In this situation the family
system has highly permeable boundaries, making the family and the individuals within the
family highly susceptible to events and changes within their wider social
environment.Durkheim defined Anomic suicide as a self-annihilation triggered by a person's
inability to cope with sudden and unfavourable change in a social situation. The situation of
Kerala will deal with the theories of Durkhiem, will try to examine which kind of suicide is

6|
most prevalent and how it can deal. The other think to be examined is that whether the
present circumstances of Kerala is of such nature that the theories of suicide will be
applicable to it or it needs different outlook to examine the situation of Kerala. The present
rate of modernisation, development, unemployment level, migration, does have effect on
upon suicide rate.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To study the impact of socio-economic background on people who attempts and commit
suicide.
2. Relationship between unemployment and suicide rates in youths of Kerala.
3. To examine factors responsible for suicide.
4. To study the impact modernity of suicide rates.
5. To analyse relationship between traditional system or organisation and suicide rate.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Since the problem being a socio-economic one, the method of the research is chosen in such a
manner that would bring out the holistic view of the issue. The method used is based upon
secondary data collection, and has been applied with appropriate modifications to include and
impact of suicide on family members assimilate the data derived from diverse sources. The focus
of the research is limited to the population of the state of Kerala.

CHAPTER SCHEME
The research has been conducted under the following heads:
Chapter I Introduction enunciates the problem for study in the view towards individual and
societal aspects of suicide.
Chapter II deals with relation between socialization and suicide.
Chapter III elaborates factors responsible for suicide.
Chapter IV deals with unemployment and suicide rates in youths of Kerala.
.Chapter V deals with data analysis of suicide trend in Kerala.
Chapter VIConcluding Observations embodies the deduction of research. It after analysis of
contemporary trends offers certain generalizations and findings of the study with preventive

7|
measures that would help to bring down the high suicide . And at last it brings out certain
proposals accordingly.

Socialization and Suicide

Socialization is a process which occurs through human interactions. It is essential for the
individual’s survival and for human development. “Socialization is the life long process of social
interaction through which individuals acquire a self-identity and the physical, mental and social
skills needed for the survival in society. It enables to develop human potential through the means
of thinking, talking and acting; that are essential for social living. In other words socialization is
essential for the individual’s survival and human development. Besides it is essential for the
survival and stability of society too. Members of the society must socialize to support and
maintain the existing social structure. Through this process we learn a great deal from those who
are important in our lives an immediate family member, best friends and teachers. We also learn
from television, films, and magazines and through internet. Family is an institution closely
associated with the process of Socialization. Most parents seek to help their children become
competent and self-sufficient; that is by socializing as per the norms and values of both family
and the larger society. Through this process adult themselves experience socialization as they
adjust to becoming spouse, parents and in-laws, in terms of gender roles, expectations regarding
proper behaviour, attitudes and activities of males and females. Like family, schools have
function to socialize people. The functionalists point out that as, agents of Socialization schools
fulfils the function of teaching recruits of values and customs of the larger society. As a child
grows older, the family becomes somewhat less important in his or her social development.
Peer groups such as friendship cliques, youth gangs and special interest clubs, frequently assist
adolescents in gaining some degree of independent from parents and other elders. Teenagers
initiate their friends in part because the peer group maintains a meaningful system of rewards and
punishments. On the other hand, the group may encourage someone to violate the cultural norms
and values.
Situation 1- when a child loves to spend more time (almost half of his time) with himself than
others like family, friends etc.
It may be mainly due to the experience, he/she probably faced in their childhood may be they had
an unfavourable family environment .When the family that is father, mother and siblings fail to
give love, protection and care then individual automatically seeks alternative mechanism to
release the distress. Here family, friends, teachers and peers have to play a vital role and to

8|
channelize one’s individual’s needs, wants and motives. These results in making a child more
venerable to suicide due to weak socialisation.
Situation 2-when respondents were average, showing poor participation and poor
achievements in extracurricular activities.
It is revealed that academic achievements and participation play a vital role in moulding an
individual’s behaviour. Lower participation shows an introvert nature since childhood. That is
they like to spend their life within themselves. The introvert behaviour in their school days
reflects in their life situation also. The reason for this introvert ness may be due to a miserable life
situation. Hence respondent can have more suicidal tendencies.
Situation 3-when father of child is strict, aggressive authoritarian and irresponsible towards
them.
Fathers who were strict, aggressive authoritarian and irresponsible towards their children and he
is not understanding, promotive, considerate, friendly or sharing. All these influence their
childhood. They automatically became introvert by nature and were filled with the feelings of
unwanted ness and alienation in their life, sharing their worries with none except themselves.
Situation 4-when mother of child is strict, aggressive authoritarian and irresponsible towards
them.
“If the father is the head of the family then mother is the heart of family”. If the heart fails to
perform its function properly, the whole system will collapse. This behaviour is a possible
reflection of the ill experiences in family. Ones’ husband’s alcoholism and constant quarrels in
the family automatically make mothers aggressive towards children. All these ill experiences
made black spots in their life. This could also make one suicidal.
Situation 5-when father has drinking habits.
Father’s drinking habits increased chances of violence within the family and made bitter
experiences in children’s life. May be due to this behaviour he was strict aggressive, irresponsible
towards the child. They didn’t feel he was promotive, considerate and friendly. They felt
alienated and isolated from family .They will create their own world and spend their days with in
it. And if a daughter of such family after her marriage she faced the same behaviour from
husband. All these things made her suicidal.
Parental alcoholism led to family problems, which in turn created quarrels with in the family; or
family problems caused parental alcoholism which created quarrels with in the family. The
quarrels between family members could have caused problems which may have led to parental
alcoholic behaviour. Whatever may be it always affects children at the home. T.T. Ranganathan
(2002) opined that alcoholism was a family disease, which affected each and every member of

9|
the family. It affected the children with the same intensively with which it affected the wife infant
even more. Children neither have the option nor the mobility to enter into or exit from the parent-
child relationship. While the wife feels trapped, the children are really trapped. The child is
emotionally and situationally helpless. These children harbour a lingering fear, anxiety and stress.
They also experience lots of problems in school like difficulty in concentration or defiance of
authority and truancy. They have problems relating to their classmates, to people around,
including their own family members.
The poor socialization of the respondent makes them situation vulnerable. They faced bitter
experiences from the whole family during their school days. Here both parents and teachers have
to play a vital role in socializing children. These experiences may be one of the reasons for them
to become suicidal later.

Factors responsible for suicide

Suicide cuts across all sex, age, and economic barriers. People of all ages complete suicide,
men and women as well as young children, the rich as well as the poor. No one is immune to
this tragedy. Why would anyone willingly hasten or cause his or her own death?
Were there financial burdens that couldn't be met? ...marriage or family problems? ...divorce?
...scholastic goals that weren't achieved?...loss of a special friendship?...the death of a close
friend or spouse? A combination of these or other circumstances could have precipitated
suicide, or it could have been a response to a physiological depression. Although many
people face similar problems and overcome them, your loved one could find no solution other
than death.
A lot of factors are found to be associated with suicidal behaviour. It has been observed that,
individuals becoming suicidal have identified psychiatric disturbance as the strongest
predictor of future suicidality. In particular, both unipolar and bipolar depressions are
associated with the greatest suicidal risk. There are many features of family life that have an
impact on suicidal behaviour. Abuse of children, both physically and sexually, appear to
result in an increase in later suicidal behaviour as well as other psychiatric disorders and
symptoms.
Medical model-The medical model accept that the causes for suicidal behavior are multiple
and complex and interesting with each other. It includes mental disorders, physical illnesses,
alcohol, substance related problems sociological, psychological and biological factors. The
common mental disorders associated with suicide are mood disorders (depressive disorders),
alcohol or drug dependence and abuse.

10 |
The social model of suicidal behaviour- The landmark study of Emile Durkheim on suicidal
behaviour was initiated by the observation of differences in suicidal rates among individuals
of different religious belief systems. The sociological model has remained highly influential
for many years. It is held that social integration of the individual and the strict regulations of
the society were central to suicidal rates. The causative factors for suicide were viewed as
social causes and extra social causes. The psychological constitution of the individual and the
external physical environment were described as the extra social causes. This theory
dismissed pathological states as cause for suicidal behaviour. This can well be understood
keeping in mind the popular thinking of the time. The rapid development of IT, visual media,
telecommunication, the changing world order into a more unipolar world (globalization)
compelled micro societies world over to get more organized in its functioning. Moreover, the
matriarchic and matrifocal joint family systems have progressively broken into nuclear or
single parent families. As the culture barriers started to crumple, and societies started getting
more and more reorganized, into small units family support for the disadvantaged in the joint
family disappears. So it becomes mandatory to view suicidal behaviour as a pathological
manifestation, which needs correction.
Psychological factors in suicide-More recent psychological theories of suicide explains the
suicidal behaviour as resulting from fantasies about what would happen if they commit
suicide. It may include wishes for revenge, power, control, punishment or sacrifice. It may
also be thought of as an escape or sleep. Again imagination of rebirth or reunion with dead or
a new life might lead people into such act. In general, it is found that married couples in
which one partner attempts suicide have poorer communication between each other and more
destructive conflicts (such as avoiding discussion and fleeing the home), and that the suicidal
partner is more psychiatrically disturbed. The suicide proneness among the people of the state
is definitely related to the social changes taking place in the region. This has regional, sub-
regional, or district level variations as well. Some of the major social changes that have taken
place in the state which have probably influenced the suicide scenario in the state are: a) the
transformation in the family b) the changes in the educational system, c) the influence of the
media, d) the gulf boom, e) women’s employment, f) increased use of alcohol, are g) the
consumer culture sweeping the state. These are the social, economic and psychological
factors responsible for suicide.
Depression and Suicide-Depression is a serious condition that can impact every area of life.
It can affect social life, family relationships, career, and sense of self-worth and purpose.

11 |
Depression is not "one size fits all," particularly when it comes to the genders. Not only are
women more prone to depression than men, many factors contribute to the unique picture of
depression in women-from reproductive hormones to social pressures to the female response
to stress. There is no one cause of depression. For some people, a single event can bring on
the illness. Depression often strikes people who felt fine but who suddenly find they are
dealing with a death in the family or a serious illness. For some people, changes in the brain
can affect mood and cause depression. Sometimes, those under a lot of stress, like caregivers,
can feel depressed. Others become depressed for no clear reason. People with serious
illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, may become depressed. They may
worry about how their illness will change their lives. They might be tired and not able to deal
with things that make them sad. Treatment for depression can help them manage their
depressive symptoms and improve their quality of life. While analysing depression and age
the elders were highly depressed than the younger generation. Among youngsters the major
causes are separation of beloved ones, failure in love and lack of parental support. In the elder
age group the cause of depression were alcoholism and inability to cope with children and
spouse. While analysing family income and depression most of the suicide were from lower
income group. They had economic constraints such as inability to meet daily needs,
educating children, expense for the health of the family and inability to meet changing needs
of children. These were the major causes of depression among lower income groups. Even
though they have these economic constraints, in this study there were very rare cases of those
who attempted suicide purely due to economic problems. But in the case of higher income the
major cause of depression may be a change in life style and changing situations in family or
workplace. Hence one sees that economic causes are not purely the reason of suicide but
others social factors are too involved. Economic background of the suicide attempter matters
but instances are not that high. Social factors lead to more the cause of suicide.

Unemployment and suicide rates in youths of Kerala

At 7.4 per cent, Kerala has the highest rate of unemployment among the big States in the
country, says the Economic Review. It puts Kerala’s unemployment rate at three times the
national level (2.3 per cent). Among all States, only tiny Nagaland and Tripura have a higher
unemployment rate.

Unemployment rate is higher in rural areas as compared to urban areas, and feminisation of
joblessness is evident with females accounting for a much higher rate of joblessness as

12 |
compared to males. The rate of unemployment among those aged between 15 and 29 is 21.7
per cent in rural areas and 18 per cent in urban areas. The situation is worse in the case of
Kerala women, who log an unemployment rate of 47.4 per cent, as compared to 9.7 per cent
of men. Jobs in the organised sector are getting scarcer in Kerala. The number of those
employed in the organised sector fell from 12.26 lakh in 2000 to 11.4 lakh in 2005 and then
to 10.88 lakh in 2013, a reduction of 11.3 per cent over 13 years. This, the Review says, was
mainly due to the fall in the number of jobs in the public sector. There was some respite in
the downward trend over the past two years with the number of those employed in the
organised sector rising to 11.29 per cent in 2014 and further to 11.36 lakh in 2015.
Ernakulam and Wayanad accounted for highest and lowest employment levels respectively.

While the general suicide rate has been decreasing gradually compared to other states, the
suicide rate among youngsters and family suicides are on the rise in the state. An
illustration which talks about a young girl who took her life by jumping off her hostel
building in Thiruvananthapuam the other day. The police are yet to ascertain the real cause
of death. However, preliminary inquiry suggests it is a case of suicide. As per the records
available with the government, 12, 988 persons committed suicide since May 2016 due to
various reasons. Of this, 2,946 were women and 401 children. As many as 822 persons
committed suicide due to financial reasons, 4,178 due to family problems, 28 because of
mounting debts and 2,325 due to health problems.

Experts say the victims are mainly teenagers and youths. However, the suicide rate in the
state has come down to 21.5 per cent per lakh population for the first time in the past 25
years. Though the state witnessed a dip in the suicide rate the average number of suicides
is double than the national rate in the state.“Social isolation among the youths is the prime
reason behind the increased suicide rate among the youths”. There is an increased
prevalence in the number of emotionally unstable persons in society. And one of the most
important aspects is the inability to control any kind of emotion and the inability to
tolerate frustration leading to injuring and annihilating oneself when the mildest setbacks
in life occurs. Another concept of ‘behavioural addiction’ is prevalent among those
showing a tendency to commit suicide. Addiction to the internet, mobile phones, social
media, porn and others are part of this. These persons suffer from mental disorders, they
added. “Removing the stigma associated with mental health is the prime thing to curb this
menace. The family members are reluctant to provide treatment for depression fearing
shame. This attitude should be changed to cut down the increasing suicide rates.

13 |
The reason for such high numbers can be attributed to lack of economic, social, and
emotional resources. More specifically, academic pressure, workplace stress, social pressures,
modernisation of urban centres, relationship concerns, and the breakdown of support systems.
Some researchers have attributed the rise of youth suicide to urbanisation and the breakdown
of the traditional large family support system. The clash of values within families is an
important factor for young people in their lives. As young Indians become more progressive,
their traditionalist households become less supportive of their choices pertaining to financial
independence, marriage age, premarital sex, rehabilitation and taking care of the elderly.
There is a notable gender difference in the suicidal attempts and completion of suicide.
Women are four times more likely than men to attempt suicide (make an attempt but not
complete), whereas, men are twice more likely than women to complete the act of suicide.
India is quoted to experience the highest rate of suicide among the age bracket of 15-29
years. This leaves an impact on the development and well-being of individuals, societies and
nations. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2015 quoted that every hour one student
commits suicide in India. Parents and schools cannot prepare children mentally and
psychologically for the many triggers in the world. Hence it is imperative that as a society we
work to promote a positive environment. It is vital that organisations and governments
receive support to promote mental health education and promote coping skills in youth.

14 |
 Data analysis of suicide trend in Kerala

National average-10.6

It can be concluded that 19 states are above the National average which is quite alarming.
Kerala lies in top 5 among the states of India in rate of suicide and 8 th in list of states and
UTs.

15 |
There is good results as far as suicide rates are concerned for Kerala. There is a downfall in
rates of suicide in Kerala. This indicates that the problem has been recognised and
preventative measures are taken by government, NGOs and people have shown concerns
towards the issue.

16 |
The following pie-chart indicates numerous reasons for suicide. The most prominent one is
Family issues which can be due the poor socialisation, modernisation and lost values of
traditional systems among people. The second major share is kept in other causes which
comprises of Poverty, Unemployment, Physical Abuse, Professional/Career Problem, etc.

The following pie-chart examines education and suicide. An educated person is one with
knowledge and knowledge brings light in life but due to high unemployment rates and highly
competitive education makes educated one frustrated and go for suicide. Analysing the data
we see that persons with Middle education level are more prone to suicide. Then comes
Primary education level. Hence we can trace a relation that higher the level of education
lower is the suicide rate like Professional commit suicide 0.4% only.

17 |
The following data talks about methods adopted by suicide committers. The most adopted
method is Hanging themselves. The other most common method is by Poisoning themselves.
These two methods are quite easily available to people. Even though getting poison a bit
though but given to people by medical stores without precautions and inquiry. Hanging is
most common.

18 |
According to this study, there is a generally noticeable gender bias in favour of men in the
case of suicide in the State in general and in every district in particular (male suicide rate is
39.30 and that for females is only 16.19, out of the State level rate of 27.53).There is a
generally noticeable gender bias in favour of men in the case of suicide in the state in general
and every district in particular In every district in the state, women 's suicide rate is
considerably lower than the general suicide rate for the district Idukki, Wayanad and Thrissur
which register the highest suicide rates in the state also record highest female suicide rates.
Similarly, Malappuram, and Trivandrum which register the lowest suicide rate, follow the
same pattern in the female suicides also. The male suicide rates of 66.30, 64.62, 59.10 and
53.00 per one lakh population recorded in Idukki, Wayanad, Thrissur and Kollam districts
respectively need to be taken note of.

19 |
 CONCLUSIONS, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
“Suicide is a paradoxical phenomenon. On the hand it appears to be the most personal action an
individual can take. On the other hand, it is ubiquitous, has occurred throughout human history in all
corners of the world and often under circumstances that show such a striking similarity that one has
but to conclude that social factors play an important, if not decisive role in its causation. As important
as those who lost their lives by suicide are those who have failed in their prior attempts kill
themselves. It is said that about ten times as many as those who commit suicide are those who fail in
such attempts and continue to live with different degrees of physical, mental and social disabilities.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among school age youth. However, suicide is
preventable. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress.
Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help. Most
important is to never take these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them secret. When all adults
and students in the school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority-and are
empowered to take the correct actions-we can help youth before they engage in behaviour with
irreversible consequences. Children and adolescents spend a substantial part of their day in
school under the supervision of school personnel. Effective suicide and violence prevention is
integrated with supportive mental health services, engages the entire school community, and
is imbedded in a positive school climate through student behavioural expectations and a
caring and trusting student/adult relationship. Therefore, it is crucial for all school staff
members to be familiar with, and watchful for, risk factors and warning signs of suicidal
behaviour. The entire school staff should work to create an environment where students feel
safe sharing such information. School psychologists and other crisis response team personnel,
including the school counsellor and school administrator, are trained to intervene when a
student is identified at risk for suicide. These individuals conduct suicide risk assessment,
warn/inform parents, provide recommendations and referrals to community services, and
often provide follow up counselling and support at school. Even if a youth is judged to be at
low risk for suicidal behaviour, schools may ask parents to sign a documentation form to
indicate that relevant information has been provided. Parental notifications must be
documented. Additionally, parents are crucial members of a suicide risk assessment as they
often have information critical to making an appropriate assessment of risk, including mental
health history, family dynamics, recent traumatic events, and previous suicidal behaviours.
After a school notifies a parent of their child's risk for suicide and provides referral
information, the responsibility falls upon the parent to seek mental health assistance for their
child. Parents must:

20 |
Continue to take threats seriously: Follow through is important even after the child calms
down or informs the parent "they didn't mean it." Avoid assuming behaviour is simply
attention seeking (but at the same time avoid reinforcing suicide threats; e.g., by allowing the
student who has threatened suicide to drive because they were denied access to the car).

Access school supports: If parents are uncomfortable with following through on referrals,
they can give the school psychologist permission to contact the referral agency, provide
referral information, and follow up on the visit.

Maintain communication with the school: After such an intervention, the school will also
provide follow-up supports. Your communication will be crucial to ensuring that the school
is the safest, most comfortable place for your child.

In these ways one help a person who is more venerable to suicide.

FINDINGS
 There is direct relation between economic background and suicide but suicide purely
due to economic reasons are very less.
 People often commit suicide more arising from poor socialisation, depression and
psychiatric illness.
 The unemployment rate is too a factor which cause high rates of suicide among the
youths. Relevant government policies can tackle the problem of unemployment.
People should not just aim for government jobs but go for private jobs also because
“Something is better than nothing”.
 Preventive measures should taken up by government, NGOs and family to improve
socialisation in the society and traditional values must be restored.
 Regulations should be made by government on the different sources of suicide like
poison, drugs, and sleeping pills.

SUGGESTIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommended remedial measures are at three levels
a) At individual and family level
 Attitudinal change and positive thinking
 Maintain healthy relationship within the family

21 |
  Proper planning at family level leading to a family budget
 Better relationship with neighbours and relative
 Give importance to religious practices
 Value based and Job oriented education
 Membership in health insurance scheme
 Avoiding bad habits like alcoholism and drug addiction
 Promoting gender balance at family level

b) At Civil Society/ NGO level

 Identification of the needy and provide timely support
 Conduct massive awareness programmes
 Befriending and counselling services
 Capacity building and skill training
 Promote job oriented education
 Promotion of family budgeting
c) At religious institution level

 Promotion of human values among the people

 Family counselling centres
 Promotion of meaningful religious practices
 Life oriented awareness programmes
 Education support to poor children
 Promotion and preservation of life
 Personal attention to the family in crisis

Other suggestions
 Encourage people to talk to others, particularly when they are in emotional distress
and confusion. “When you are in distress talk to a friend; when your friend is in
distress listen to them” could be a good policy to follow.
 Strengthening workplace informal gatherings and facilitate closer interpersonal
communication between colleagues.
 The other members of the family like the cousins, in-laws and relatives should show
the willingness to intervene when close relatives or family member are found to be in
difficulty.

22 |
  It needs to be ‘be concerned and interested in the personal matters of the family
members and be willing to help if help is needed.
 It also found that marriage, which could be a cushion for the distressed, has often
functioned as a stressor. What are needed are urgent measures to enhance the capacity
of the distressed to ventilate feelings in confidence and to mobilize the community’s
resources to intervene in crisis situations.

Reference

 Durkheim, Emile - 'Le Suicide', 1897.

 Durkheim E (1897). Suicide: A study in sociology (translated by Spalding J.A. and Simpson
G). London:Routledge&Kegan Paul, 1952.
 Henry, Andrew E. and Short, James F. - 'Suicide and Homicide - Some Economic,
Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Aggression', Collier and Mac Millan,
1954.
 National Crime Record Bureau (2008). Accidental deaths and suicides in India. New Delhi,
Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.
 Nagpaul, Hans - 'Modernisation and Urbanisation in India’, Rawat Publications, 1996.
 Jayasree A.K., Dr. - 'Suicide Prevention, A Practical Approach' - Article in 'Suicide in
Perspective' published by Rajagiri College of Social Sciences Cochin, June 1995.
 George P.O. - 'Suicide, a Major Health Problem in Kerala' - Rajagiri Journal of Social
Development, Golden Jubilee Issue, 2005.
Websites
 http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
 www.thehindu.com
 keralapolice.gov.in
 http://ncrb.gov.in/


23 |