“The encouraging trend also reinforces the CISF’s commitment in addressing mental health challenges within its ranks,” he added.For the first time in five years, the suicide rate in the CISF has shown a downward trend, falling below the national average of 12.4 per lakh, recorded in 2022.In a recent written reply to a question in Parliament, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that 144 suicides were reported in CAPFs, the National Security Guard (NSG), and Assam Rifles in 2020. This number rose to 157 in 2021, declined slightly to 138 in 2022, returned to 157 in 2023, and fell to 134 in 2024—totalling 730 cases over five years.A recent study conducted in coordination with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, identified multiple factors contributing to suicides among CAPF personnel.These include poor emotional support due to nuclear families, marital disagreements and affairs, faster transmission of unpleasant information through smartphones, higher expectations from families, financial concerns, critical illnesses such as cancers, skin diseases, and HIV, as well as solitude and an inability to share and express emotions.(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050, Tele Manas – 14416 (available 24×7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline – 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
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