Suicide is becoming a frightening reality in India. Every day, news reports tell us about heartbreaking incidents—a mother setting herself and her little daughter on fire, or a father jumping into a river after pushing in his two children. Sadly, 2022 recorded the highest number of suicides in the last 56 years. 

But the big question is: who struggles more with suicidal thoughts—men or women? And when it comes to actually ending life, who is more at risk?  Women think and attempt more, men die more Doctors from AIIMS, Delhi, have shared some eye-opening facts.

According to Dr. Gagan Hans from the Psychiatry Department, women often think about suicide more and even try to take their own lives multiple times. But here’s the shocking part—when men attempt suicide, they are far more likely to die.  “Men may try fewer times, but their attempts often turn fatal. That’s why we can’t ignore any suicide attempt, whether it’s by a man or a woman,” Dr. Hans explained. 

A cry for help before the act There’s also something important that experts have noticed—most people who end up attempting suicide actually look for help just a day or two before. They may talk to someone, reach out for advice, or drop hints. “If at that time, they get proper mental support and guidance, their lives can be saved,” Dr. Hans said. 

The ignored illness Behind most suicide cases is mental illness or extreme emotional stress. But in our society, mental health is still not taken seriously. People are often told to “be strong” or “get over it,” which only makes things worse.

“Because we don’t acknowledge mental illness, the condition grows silently and sometimes ends in tragedy,” the doctor warned. 

Why this matters for all of us Suicide is not just about statistics—it’s about people around us, family members, friends, neighbours. If we pay attention to their pain, listen to them without judgment, and encourage them to seek help, many lives can be saved.

The message is simple: talk about mental health, take it seriously, and never ignore someone’s cry for help. A small step of support today could stop a tragedy tomorrow.