Overview
- The State Health & Family Welfare department, citing National Crime Records Bureau data, says the suicide rate fell from 43.1 per lakh in 2022 to 40.2 in 2023 and 36.3 in 2024, a 15.8% decline over three years.
- The department attributed the improvement to coordinated efforts under the National Mental Health Programme, Tele-MANAS, Sikkim INSPIRES and the District Mental Health Programme supported by schools, NGOs, police and community groups.
- Key measures named by officials include mental-health awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, community-based screening to identify at-risk people early, and training for healthcare workers, counsellors, teachers, police and frontline staff.
- Crisis support and referral systems were strengthened through 24x7 Tele-MANAS and district mental-health teams, and mental-health services are available at STNM Hospital and district hospitals; the department listed Tele-MANAS numbers as 14416 or 1800-891-4416 and Crisis Helpline numbers as 1800-345-2445 or 03592-202111.
- Officials warned the decline is not a reason for complacency and said sustaining gains will require continued service expansion, ongoing training, community vigilance and stable programme support that could further reduce suicides and improve access to care.