In October 2018, the little-known Indian state Sikkim was recognized by the United Nations as the world's first state to become 100% organic. It outperformed large metropolitan cities in India across economic, literacy, and cleanliness parameters. It has the country's third-highest per capita income, seventh-highest literacy rate, and was declared India's first open defecation-free state.
However, Sikkim's performance on these indicators masks the state's underlying dark reality of suicide rates; it is the state with the highest suicide rate in the nation. In 2015, the suicide rate was 37.5 per 100,000 people, more than three times the national average of 10.6; the numbers have only risen over time. Among the four districts, the West is disproportionately affected.
These alarming statistics can be attributed to three interrelated factors: substance abuse, unemployment, and mental illness.
Hordes of Sikkim youth have fallen prey to pharmaceutical drugs like Nitrosun 10mg and Corex; smuggling through West Bengal has resulted in many taking these drugs without prescription. No official data is available on the use of drugs in the state. However, according to a report by Livemint, it is estimated that 7 out of 10 teenagers in Gangtok abuse pharmaceutical products. In addition, alcohol consumption and sales have surged. From 2013 to 2014, the revenue collected from alcohol sales amounted to a whopping amount of Rs 120.64 crores. Due to a lack of regulations on smuggling and alcohol consumption and sales, substance abuse has grown exponentially. Studies show that substance abuse is linked to higher suicide rates.
There is also a correlation between unemployment and suicide; Sikkim has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, largely due to a lack of job opportunities in the state. Well-educated professionals face severe competition for a handful of vacancies. Thus, they are either left unemployed or forced to work in lower-skilled jobs with lower salaries. Having invested so much time and money on their education only to see no upward career trajectory is heavily demoralizing and drives several into the path of drug abuse, mental illness, and ultimately suicide. According to the Hindustan Times, 27% of Sikkimese who committed suicide in 2014 were unemployed. The guitarist of a local band, Tribal Rain, spoke about how only those with contacts have access to government employment opportunities. The band lost their lead singer to suicide in 2018.
Thirdly, there is a reluctance to acknowledge and tackle mental illness. Even those who do acknowledge its prevalence rely on religious practices and customs rather than professional consultation. Due to the taboo surrounding mental illness, victims are unable to express their concerns and seek or receive adequate help. Moreover, it is not only an issue of restrictive social norms but also one of access. There is a severe lack of counselling centres and psychiatrists in Sikkim. Even though the state has one of the best health facilities with 2 referral hospitals, 24 primary health centres, and 147 sub-centres, there is only one psychiatric inpatient facility; it is located in the state hospital–Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital–in Gangtok, and has a capacity of only 20 patients.
The importance of tackling these problems is highlighted in a 1993 World Health Organization study which reveals that 98% of suicides are vaguely or majorly due to mental illness and substance abuse.
The Sikkim Mental Health program was started in 2011 and has conducted various awareness campaigns across the state. A suicide helpline centre has also been operational since 2015. However, due to a lack of promotion, the public is largely unaware of such initiatives.
Furthermore, the previous state government came up with the 'One Family One Job' scheme to tackle unemployment. However, the policy has become the victim of nepotism and partiality as individuals with contacts in the hiring department have a significantly higher chance of finding employment. It has also failed to provide jobs to those in dire need. Many poor villagers in Dodak (West Sikkim) have still not been enrolled under the scheme as they do not have the right contacts and thus, struggle to make both ends meet.
Therefore, the government has implemented measures to curb Sikkim's rising suicide rate. However, they have been ineffective in tackling the issue. According to the 2014 National Crime Report Bureau (NCRB) report, the national suicide rate was 10.6, compared to 40.4 in Puducherry and 38.4 in Sikkim; from 2016 to 2018, Sikkim reported 572 suicides.
Thus, despite soaring tourism, and economic and structural development, there is systemic negligence towards tackling rising suicide rates. Moreover, state actors have failed to recognize the correlation of substance abuse, unemployment, and mental illness with suicide.
Reference List
Aashaf Norden Lepcha, Jorethang, South Sikkim. E-mail: aashafnordenlepcha@gmail.com
Chettri, R., Gurung, J., & Singh, B. (2016). A 10-year retrospective study of suicide in Sikkim, India: Sociodemographic profile and risk assessment. Indian J Psychiatry, 58(4), 448—453. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.196712
Gahatraj, D. (2019). The sordid underbelly of ‘golden state’ Sikkim – it’s India’s suicide capital. Retrieved 27 December 2019, from https://theprint.in/india/governance/the-sordid-underbelly-of-golden-state-sikkim-its-indias-suicide-capital/182632/
Sharma, A., Chettri, P., & Sharma, K. (2019). The Lost Star: A tribute to Rahul Rai of Tribal Rain. Retrieved 27 December 2019, from https://wanderingsoulsofsikkim.com/2018/03/09/the-lost-star-a-tribute-to-rahul-rai-of-tribal-rain/
Tribal Rain Lead Singer Rahul Rai No More. (2018). Retrieved 27 December 2019, from https://hallanepal.com/2018/02/14/tribal-rain-lead-singer-rahul/
Santoshini, S. (2017). In Sikkim, football is weaning drug users away from the dark. Retrieved 27 December 2019, from https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/C6sUZgC6Pht0ZJ8EceDBhL/In-Sikkim-football-is-weaning-drug-addicts-away-from-the-da.html
Sikkim's prolonged battle with suicide: 572 suicide deaths in last 3 years - Sikkim Chronicle Eng | DailyHunt. (2019). Retrieved 27 December 2019, from https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/sikkim+chronicle+eng-epaper-sikch/sikkim+s+prolonged+battle+with+suicide+572+suicide+deaths+in+last+3+years-newsid-152968052
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