The National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) on October 28 released its report on ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’ (ASDI) for 2020.

As expected road accidents and related deaths fell in the pandemic year. However, the number of deaths by suicides rose by 10% from 2019, taking the total figure to an all-time high of 153,052. The number of deaths by suicide, when adjusted by per lakh population, was 11.3 in 2020 – the highest rate in the last decade. In 2010, the number stood at 11.4.

Deaths by suicide in the category titled ‘self-employed’ increased by 7.67% from 2019 to 2020; however, this impact was disproportionately distributed within the sub-categories. Suicides among “tradesmen” increased by 50%, indicating that the adverse effects of the pandemic were felt more harshly by small businessmen.

Mukul Singh Chauhan of The Wire discusses this issue in detail with Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Praveen Jha.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. The Suicide Prevention India Foundation maintains a list of telephone numbers they can call to speak in confidence. Icall, a counselling service run by TISS, has maintained a crowdsourced list of therapists across the country. You could also take them to the nearest hospital.

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