In a grave revelation, Mizoram has reported a total of 948 suicide deaths over the past decade, according to Aizawl Superintendent of Police, Rahool Alwal. The disclosure was made during an event marking ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ on September 10, 2024, in the state’s capital.
The recorded deaths occurred between 2014 and July 2024, with males making up a staggering 84% of the total, while females accounted for 16%. Alarmingly, 49 suicides have occurred in the current year alone.
The age group most affected comprises individuals between 20 and 39 years, contributing an “astounding” 584 cases. Other age demographics include 201 cases among 40-59-year-olds, 117 cases in the 1-19 years bracket, and 40 cases involving those over 60.
World Suicide Prevention Day
Observed annually on September 10 since 2003, ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ aims to foster awareness and preventive measures against suicides. The event is coordinated by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).
In 2011, around 40 countries participated in awareness events marking this day. According to WHO’s 2014 mental health atlas, no low-income country had a national suicide prevention strategy, while less than 10% of lower-middle-income countries and nearly a third of upper-middle and high-income countries had such strategies.
The figures from Mizoram underscore a critical need for enhanced mental health support and suicide prevention programs in the state.
