Suicide in India during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: There has been substantial discussion as to whether the mental health and socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic might impact suicide rates. Although India accounts for the largest proportion of global suicides, the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in this country are unknown. Methods: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data were used to calculate annual suicide rates for the period 2010–2020, stratified by sex and state. Rate Ratios (RRs) stratified by sex and state were calculated to estimate the extent of change in suicide rates. Results: Suicide rates in India generally showed a decreasing trend from 2010 until 2017, with the trend rever..