Citation

Philip S, Issac TG, Sharda A, Shekhar A. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9(3): 192.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00011-6

PMID

35183273

Abstract

Suicide is a global health problem, with most deaths by suicide occurring in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, people aged 60 years and older have a higher risk of dying by suicide than younger age groups. A systematic review of deaths by suicide in LMICs during the pandemic reported "a reduction or no change in suicide and self-harm behaviour". In contrast, analysis of Indian news reports suggested a possible rise in deaths by suicide in March-May 2020 compared with the same period in 2021. Official statistics for suicides in India are compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NRCB) in the annual Accidental Deaths and Suicides Report. This NRCB data collection system has been criticised for incomplete medical evaluation and reporting of cause of death, that is, not all deaths or suicides might be included. Estimates of deaths by suicide in 2016 for India from the Global Burden of Disease Study were 230 000 deaths, while the NCRB reported 131 008 deaths for the same year.


NCRB statistics released on Oct 28, 2021 showed a marked increase in the number of suicides among people aged 60 years and older during 2020 compared with 2019 (table). Rates of this increase were higher for older women (21·8% increase) than for older men (18·3% increase). The more devastating second wave of COVID-19 from March 2021 to April 2021, in India is not included in the reported period. The increased number of deaths by suicide probably reflects pandemic-related disruptions such as unemployment, economic contractions, and migrant crises. These disruptions might have had complex direct or indirect effects on the mental health of older people. Hypothesised risk factors for suicide in people aged 60 years and older in India during the COVID-19 pandemic include loneliness, inadequate social support, physical and mental comorbidities, and a fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 or of dying from SARS-CoV-2 infection. These statistics are the first evidence of India, a LMIC, following the trend of official figures for suicide being lower than scientific estimates...

Language: en