31 children died by suicide every day in 2020, experts blame Covid-19

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In a worrying trend, an average of 31 children died by suicide every day in India in 2020. Experts believe that the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of schools and the resulting lockdown could be the reason for the strong increase with the pandemic considerably accentuating the psychological trauma suffered by children.

According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, 11,396 children died by suicide in 2020, an 18% increase from 9,613 such deaths in 2019 and a 21% increase from 9,413 in 2018.

“Family problems” (4,006), “Love affairs” (1,337) and “Illness” (1,327) were the main causes of suicide in children (under 18). Ideological causes or hero worship, unemployment, bankruptcy, impotence or infertility, and drug abuse were other reasons for suicide in some children.

Prabhat Kumar, Deputy Director – Child Protection, Save the Children, said that Covid-19 and the resulting school closures and social isolation, coupled with anxiety among seniors, have further exacerbated the mental health issue and brought it to the fore.

The growing number of suicides among children reflects a systemic failure, he said. “It is a collective responsibility of parents, families, neighborhoods and government as a whole to provide a supportive ecosystem where children can hope to realize their potential and realize their dreams of a bright future. To commit suicide, on the contrary, is an antithesis, “Kumar said.

Experts say mental health stigma and an extremely low number of mental health professionals per capita needed immediate attention. Covid-19, and the resulting school closures and social isolation, coupled with anxiety among seniors, has further compounded the problem and brought it to the fore.

From the start of the pandemic, one of the main concerns was that it could have an impact on the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children. Recent data from the NCRB actually underscores fears that the pandemic has dramatically increased the psychological trauma children face.

“As the NCRB data reveals, a total of 11,396 children (5,392 boys and 6,004 girls) died by suicide in 2020, which represents 31 deaths per day or about 1 child commits suicide per hour”, a- she declared.

“The children have experienced tremendous emotional stress and trauma due to home confinement and lack of interaction with friends, teachers or anyone in a position of trust due to prolonged school closures and social interactions. limited, ”she said.

Many of them went through a hostile environment at home, many others saw the deaths of their loved ones and faced the impact of fear of contagion and the worsening financial crisis on the level. family-friendly, she said.

Many children also experienced tremendous uncertainty related to program completion, exams and results.

“A large number of children, especially those living in the shadow of multidimensional poverty, have struggled to take online courses and have been severely affected by the digital divide, while many others have suffered. overexposure to the internet and social media and have been the victim of online bullying and related cyber crimes, ”she said.

“All of this, combined with general anxiety over the uncertainty of the future, must have been too much for their young and tender minds to bear,” she added.

(With PTI inputs)

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