Delhi sees sharp rise in suicides

Delhi reported 3,417 suicides in 2022, a significant jump from 2,526 cases in 2018, according to a reply tabled in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The suicide rate in the Capital rose from 12.9 to 16.2 per lakh population in the same period — higher than the national average of 12.4.

Across India, 1,70,924 suicides were recorded in 2022 — the highest in five years — with 14,600 linked to mental illness.

“The government launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” on October 10, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on July 31, 2025, 36 states/UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells,” the Ministry reply stated.

“More than 24 lakh calls have been handled on the helpline number since inception,” it added.

The data also revealed that the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, has handled 25,160 calls through its Tele MANAS Cell since the inception of the helpline.

Between 2022 and 2025, a sum of Rs 230.98 crore was allocated under the National Tele Mental Health Programme, with only Rs 140.69 crore released so far.

However, the Ministry said no impact evaluation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 has been conducted yet.