Changing trends in suicide in India, 2013-2023: Rising suicide rates among men

This study demonstrates that the long-term decline in suicide rates in India has reversed, with suicide rates continuing to rise between 2017 and 2023.Using national data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the study provides an up-to-date analysis of suicide trends in India and highlights that the recent increase has been driven predominantly by men.The findings identify substantial variation across states and Sociodemographic Index (SDI) groupings, with the largest relative increases in suicide rates observed among males in low SDI states, while the largest absolute increases were often observed in high SDI states.The study highlights the need for suicide prevention efforts in India to more explicitly recognise men as a priority population, particularly middle-aged and older men who may experience financial pressures, employment instability, social isolation, and harmful gender norms that discourage help-seeking.The findings also reinforce the importance of strengthening genderresponsive approaches within India's National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS), including interventions that address masculine norms, stigma, and barriers to accessing mental health care.Furthermore, the study contributes to ongoing debates regarding suicide surveillance in India.While some of the post-2017 increase may reflect improved reporting following the decriminalisation of suicide attempts, the sustained rise through 2023 suggests that reporting artefacts alone are unlikely to explain the observed trends.Continued strengthening of suicide surveillance systems, alongside improved access to acceptable and non-stigmatising mental health support, will be critical for addressing the growing burden of suicide in India.