Mumbai : Following a rise in suicide cases, city psychiatrists cite financial problems, relationship and family issues, medical illnesses and untreated depression as major causes for suicides in the country. According to data provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Maharashtra reported the highest number of suicide cases with 16,307 cases in 2014, of which Mumbai reported 1,196 incidents and farmers constituted 9.5 per cent of those who committed suicide.
On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), health officials emphasise that it is crucial that the government comes up with mental health camps and helplines in villages, cities and at the taluka level, which would encourage people and farmers to come ahead and talk about their issues and depression. They add that there should be better medical facilities and modes of help for farmers through which they can ask for assistance and guidance.
Psychiatrists state that farmers are the worst-hit as they suffer various mental and physical issues. They add that farmers are burdened with a responsibility to feed their family and go through problems in their farm when, at the same time, they have huge loans on their shoulders.
