No. of suicide cases rise in B’luru between 2022 and 2025

Between 2022 and Nov 2025, as many as 9,450 people died by suicide in Bengaluru. This means every day, an average of seven people took their lives in the state capital. Hanging was the leading method of suicide, with 8,148 people choosing it.According to the data shared by home minister G Parameshwara, in response to a question by MLC K Govindaraj, 740 people died by consuming poison, which is the second leading method. Additionally, 204 people ended their lives by jumping from buildings and other high places.The data reflected a disturbing trend of an increase in deaths by suicide in the last few years. In 2022, Bengaluru registered 2,313 deaths by suicide, which increased to 2,370 the next year. In 2024, almost 2,403 suicide cases were reported in the city. In 2025, 2,364 cases of suicide were reported.According to Dr Raveesh BN, professor and head of the department of psychiatry at Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute, death by suicide is a self-directed injury due to intense emotional pain and a lack of problem-solving skills. "It is a psycho-social problem," he said."Access to means is also an issue in deaths by suicide. Earlier, fans were fitted at a height that can't be reached easily. Earlier, pesticides and other materials were not easily available, unlike now," he stated. He explained that when kerosene was easily available, self-immolation was one of the major causes of death by suicide."Various forms of stress continue to be the major reason for suicides. If individuals don't learn problem-solving skills, they are more vulnerable to taking extreme steps," he warned.Dr Kiran R, senior resident at Tele MANAS, Nimhans, confirmed the increasing incidents of deaths by suicide. "Family and relationship, academic, financial and adolescent issues are the major reasons for individuals taking such extreme steps," he said."If one develops suicidal thoughts, they must call a helpline number immediately and seek professional help. They need to talk to close ones and move to a safer place immediately," he advised.According to Archana Kartik, project manager at Tele MANAS E-Health Research Centre IIIT-B, the centre gets calls from individuals aged 18 and above. "Most of the phone calls received are from people between the ages of 18 and 45, due to issues like sleep, sadness, phobias, anxiety, marriage-related issues, financial difficulties, exam stress, grief, and suicidal ideation," she said. "When needed, the audio calls can be converted to video consultation through mental health professionals," she added.

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