The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has come up with the data and statistics on accidental and suicidal deaths in India for the year 2005. The flip side is that Suicide is still considered a crime, the pro is that the NCRB is improving the data collection and statistical analysis with each passing year. We do have to concede that availability of good statistics will help us advocate for more services and support from the government and the community in general.

The fact that the suicide rate has gone down marginally from 10.6 per lakh in 2001 to 10.3 in 2005 is no cause for joy as the number of suicides have increased and the population has gone up simultaneously, leading to a reduction of the rate of suicide. 

Puducherry, unfortunately, continues to top the list at an All India level for the rate of suicides at 52.1 per lakh of population. The number has gone down by a measly 1 suicide in comparison to 2004 (from 539 to 538 in 2005). Nationally, Kerala continues to have a high rate of suicide  at 27.1 per lakh population. Of concern is the emergence of new suicide hotspots, places where services could be limited by a number of social and political factors: Jammu and Kashmir has seen an increase of 160+% in the rate of suicide in one year, Daman and Dui, 145+% and Jharkand 90+%. 

You can access these details at the NCRB Website , which is available for free download.