Silent Epidemic: India's Suicide Surge Signals a Mental Health Abyss Ignored

The stats are soul-crushing: ADSI 2023 logged 1,71,418 suicides, a 0.3% uptick masking exponential youth toll 14,000 under 18. By October 2025, helplines like iCall log 2.5 lakh calls monthly, up 40% from 2024, fueled by unemployment (25% of cases), academic pressure, and abuse. Women bear 45% burden, per WHO India 2025, with domestic violence spiking 20% in lockdowns' wake. Stigma? A killer only 10% seek help, as cultural whispers deem therapy "madness."

Government's response? The 2023 Tele-MANAS launched 53 centers, but they're overwhelmed, with wait times hitting 48 hours. Budget allocation: A paltry 0.05% of GDP, versus global 2%. Echoing The Hindu's October 10 op-ed, "cries and scars" abound in understaffed asylums psychiatrists ratio 1:250,000.

My impassioned plea: Declare mental health emergency. Triple NMHP funding to Rs.10,000 crore; integrate counseling in schools, workplaces. Decriminalize attempts via Mental Healthcare Act enforcement. Corporates? Mandate EAPs, or face fines. Community warriors ASHA, NGOs need training bounties.

India's spirit fractures unseen. Heed these silent screams, or 200,000 ghosts by 2026 haunt us all. Prevention isn't luxury; it's lifeline.