Rising Suicide Rates Among Indian Women Professionals Raises An Alarm

Suicide is a significant global public health issue, with over 700,000 individuals dying by suicide each year according to WHO estimates. India, being the second most populous country in the world, contributes significantly to global suicide numbers. Disturbingly, the suicide rate among Indian women is alarmingly high, with an age-standardised suicide rate of 11.1 per 100,000, more than double the global rate for women. This trend underscores the urgent need to address the mental health challenges faced by women in India, particularly in the workplace.

Rising Suicide Rates Among Indian Women

The increasing suicide rates among young Indian women highlight a crisis that demands immediate attention. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the suicide rate for women aged 15-39 years has risen from 12.7 per 100,000 in 2011 to 17.5 per 100,000 in 2021. This trend indicates that despite advancements in education and empowerment, many women continue to face severe mental health challenges that drive them to take their own lives.

Key factors contributing to the rise in suicides among young Indian women include:

• Relative Deprivation: The clash between increased education and empowerment and rigid societal norms creates conflict and frustration, leading to suicidal tendencies.
• Modernity and Marriage: The rise of love marriages and live-in relationships has increased individualism but also loneliness, raising suicide risk.
• Patriarchal Society: Systemic gender discrimination and domestic violence continue to plague Indian women, exacerbating mental health issues.
• Domestic Violence: The trauma of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in marriages contributes significantly to suicidal thoughts.
• Technology: Excessive social media use leads to unrealistic comparisons, cyberbullying, and isolation, increasing depression and suicidal tendencies.

Workplace Culture and Mental Health

The workplace is a critical environment that can either exacerbate or alleviate mental health challenges. In many cases, poor workplace culture contributes to increased stress, anxiety, and ultimately, suicidal thoughts. Factors such as low job security, workplace bullying, and long work hours are known to negatively impact mental health and increase suicide risk.

Workplace Suicide Risk Factors

Workplace factors that contribute to an increased risk of suicide include:

• Job Insecurity and Low Pay: Constant fear of job loss and inadequate compensation create significant stress.
• Workplace Bullying: Harassment and bullying in the workplace lead to a toxic environment that can drive employees to suicide.
• Stressful Work Conditions: Long hours, shift work, and lack of control over work contribute to mental health issues.
• Lack of focus on workplace mental wellbeing: Due to the absence of mental wellbeing initiatives for employees, vulnerable cohorts such as women face increasing challenges in reaching out for support and professional care.
• Access to Lethal Means: Certain occupations provide easy access to lethal means, such as medications or firearms, increasing the risk of suicide.

Addressing Suicide in the Workplace

Suicide prevention in the workplace requires a comprehensive approach tailored to the specific needs of each industry. General strategies that have proven effective include:

• Providing Peer Support: Establishing peer support networks can help employees feel less isolated and more supported. Creating a cohort of suicide prevention gatekeepers among women volunteers can be a game-changer.
• Increasing Access to Mental Health Services: Offering mental health resources and making them easily accessible can prevent suicides.
• Reducing Stigma: Encouraging open discussions about mental health can reduce stigma and make it easier for employees to seek help.
• Limiting Access to Lethal Means: Employers can implement policies that reduce access to lethal means in the workplace.

Identifying and Assisting At-Risk Employees

Employers and co-workers should be vigilant in identifying signs that an employee may be at risk for suicide, such as expressions of hopelessness, withdrawal from colleagues, or changes in behaviour. If an employee is showing signs of suicidal thoughts, it is crucial to offer empathy, encourage them to seek help and ensure they are not left alone if they are in immediate danger.

The Role of Employers

Employers have a moral and ethical responsibility to create a supportive work environment that prioritizes mental health. This includes providing information sessions on mental health, reducing workplace stressors, and fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns.

Employers can take the following actions:

• Promote Communication: Create a work environment that encourages open communication and a sense of belonging.
• Provide Resources: Ensure employees have access to mental health resources and know how to use them.
• Respond to Suicides: Have a plan in place for how to manage and communicate the suicide of an employee to minimize further distress.

The rising suicide rates among young Indian women serve as a stark reminder that urgent action is needed to address the mental health crisis in India, both in society at large and within the workplace.

Views expressed are the author's own. 

Authored by Ritika Arora, co-founder and COO, Manah Wellness.