Gujarat tops in suicides due to divorces and love affairs

VADODARA/ AHMEDABAD: It’s the matters of heart that led the distraught Gujaratis to end lives, revealed the ‘Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India’ report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for the year 2019.
The state has topped in suicides where 84, including 53 men and 31 women, ended life due to divorce. The year also marked the highest suicides due to love affairs in five years for the state.

After Gujarat, end of marriage claimed second highest 67 lives in Maharashtra while Tamil Nadu was third with 59 instances. The suicides primarily took place in semi-urban and rural areas as major cities recorded 10 out of 84 deaths. In all, 296 persons ended lives over marriage-related issues – including 22 instances where reason of suicide was cited as extra-marital affairs.
“Gujaratis are very social and bonded with their families. Whenever either of the partners goes for separation, the other feels lonely and feels frustrated. In socio-cultural events in the state, if a person is married, her or she is always invited as a couple,” said Dr Yogesh Patel, a Vadodara-based psychiatrist who runs a suicide helpline.
6% of suicides attributed to love affairs
Dr Yogesh Patel said,“In several instances, they stop socializing alone that leads to depression and even to alcoholism, which could result in ending lives.”
Love was also the biggest killer. From 314 in 2015, the suicides due to unrequitted love have increased by 58% with 495 deaths in 2019, reveal the statistics. The share of women also rose from average 40% for past four years to 45%. In terms of absolute numbers, the state ranked fifth among Indian states, recording 8% of deaths due to love affairs. In Gujarat, 6% of the suicides were attributed to love affairs.
Pravin Valera, coordinator for Jeevan Aastha suicide prevention helpline, said, “Identifying signs of distress is very important. We often counsel parents of the callers.”