Delhi’s Suicide Crisis: A City’s Silent Scream
Delhi’s suicide rate has surged alarmingly, outpacing the national average between 2018 and 2022. This grim statistic reflects a growing mental health emergency in the nation’s capital.
Nationally, India witnessed its highest suicide count in five years during 2022, highlighting a widespread need for improved mental healthcare services.
The government’s Tele MANAS initiative, while boasting over 24 lakh calls handled, faces scrutiny. Funds remain unreleased, and a crucial impact evaluation of the 2017 Mental Healthcare Act is yet to be conducted.
This lack of transparency and evaluation hampers effective policymaking and resource allocation. The urgent need is for comprehensive mental health strategies, coupled with increased funding and rigorous monitoring, to address this escalating crisis. The well-being of Delhi’s citizens, and indeed the nation, depends on it.
