Suicide is the leading cause of death among married women in India

A study conducted by Lancet Public Health journal titled ‘Gender differentials and state variations in suicide deaths in India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2016’ has revealed that 37 per cent of the women committing suicide in the world are Indian.
The SDR (Suicide Death Rate) in India is 15 per one lakh women, which is, double the global suicide rate for women, which is 7 per one lakh women.
Let us make it as clear as we can: Four out of the ten women who commit suicide in the world are from India. Horrified yet? Read this--most of them are under 40.
A country which has blissfully brushed off mental health and issues related to it, under the carpet, the alarming suicide problem--especially among the women--should not come as a shock. Instead, it should serve as a wakeup call that we cannot afford to ignore India’s mental health crisis any longer.
What is the problem?
According to Rakhi Dandona, one of the lead authors of the study and a professor at Public Health Foundation of India, the worse part is that married women account for the highest proportions of suicide deaths in India.
The reasons could range anywhere from arranged and early marriages, young motherhood, domestic violence, low social status and economic independence, stated the paper.
Professor Dandona also emphasised the fact that there is a definite lack of access to healthcare facilities for women.
Shockingly, according to the study, suicide is the leading cause of death in the age group 15-39 in India.
What can be done?
This disturbing finding also sheds light on the sorry state of mental health facilities in India and that we all need to take collective steps in the prevention of suicide.
1. Look for the warning signs
There is an urgent need in India to change our shallow outlook towards depression and the havoc it wreaks in one’s life. There are several steps that must be taken in order to tackle severe depression and suicide ideation and the ultimate death from suicide. Sadly, mental disorders are very conveniently used interchangeably to depict “madness” and the topic is hushed.
Someone who is suicidal may not ask for your help, but that doesn't mean they don't need it. It is crucial to understand the warning signs of a suicidal person. These signs include:
No hope for future
Talking about ending life
Increased social isolation
Reckless behaviour
Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities
A drastic change in sleeping patterns
2. Learn to look beyond the facade
If the death of celebrities by suicide has taught us anything, it is that life is not always greener on the other side. Talinda Bennington, the wife of Chester Bennington had tweeted a video of late Linkin Park singer filmed just hours before he committed suicide. What does it imply? Again Mrs Bennington has brilliantly put it in a single statement -- depression doesn’t have a face or a mood.
Care enough to ask again, probe deeper, if someone you love or even someone you know seems distressed, zoned out or just feels different--but not in a good way.
Spending a few extra minutes probing what they are feeling is way better than regretting when something terrible happens. Inquire whether they are contemplating suicide, ask whether they are feeling depressed and assess the situation they are in.
Be empathetic, not sympathetic.
3. Know the resources
If you are worried that someone close to you may be suicidal or depressed, here are some of the helplines:
Simply turning a blind eye towards depression or suicidal ideation isn't going to help, this suppression of ambitions and choking people with our suicidal norms have made us come till here.
What next?