According to the data, whereas 700 women died by suicide in 2020, men died by suicide at a rate of 131 percent higher, with 1622 deaths.
The cultural referencing and expectations portray man as a stronger gender, the one who is both physically and emotionally strong, doesn't cry, and whatnot. But such pressure increases the chances of a man turning to substance abuse and becoming aggressive when depressed.
Men are frequently depicted in the media as being obsessed with sex, booze, and sports. There is already a box that one must fit into, and people who strive to cross the confines to live their lives on their terms are supposedly called names.
" I was to contest for the president's election last year at my college, but the whole process of electioneering and rivalry with the opposition was taking a toll on my mental health. Every night for almost a month, I would lock myself in my room, play loud music and cry my heart out. I was good at making speeches but never found the right words to express what I felt inside." - 21-year-old, Bhopal by @thelogicalindian
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The silent suffering is quite ubiquitous, especially among middle and lower-middle-income households living in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The messages they grow up receiving in schools, homes as children, and up till adulthood often hinder them from seeking help leading to feelings of isolation.
Opening up in a nonjudgmental environment, choosing appropriate treatments, surrounding oneself with loved ones, and better awareness campaigns aimed at eradicating stigma can all help to dispel outmoded beliefs.
Men are more likely than women to have four features characterized as "the acquired capability for suicide," according to a 2016 neurological study undertaken by a team of researchers from Auburn University in the United States. Fearlessness of death, pain endurance, emotional stoicism, and sensation seeking are among the characteristics. People who want to commit suicide will not do so until they have overcome their fear of dying and have the necessary pain tolerance to carry out a lethal attempt.
The onus is now on the young generation to change this age-old perception. Seeking help doesn't make anyone less of a man; it makes them human.