Kerala on Suicide Point: Paradox of a High Literacy State

About the Author Dr. Siby Mathews was born in Changanacherry, in the Central part of Kerala State. He completed Post Graduate course in Economics and Sociology. He was selected to Indian Police Service in 1977. Worked as Police Commissioner in Cochin, Calicut and Trivandrum, and also for a long stint in Crime Branch, Anti-Corruption Bureau and Intelligence Branch. Was awarded Ph.D. from Mahatama Gandhi University for his thesis on 'Social and Economic Aspects of High Rate of Suicides in Kerala.' After taking voluntary retirement from LPS. in 2011, at present working as Chief Information Commissioner, Kerala State Information Commission. CONTENTS FOREWORD PREFACE PROLOGUE CHAPTER 1 Background of the Study CHAPTER 2 Previous Studies and Concepts A Tale Told by an Idiot? What Religious Books Teach Philosophy of suicide Three categories of suicides CHAPTER 3 Kerala Tops in Suicide Rate The Soaring suicide Rate The Planners Close Their Eyes CHAPTER 4 A Study of Five Districts Why Five Districts? CHAPTER 5 Common Features and Trends Time of Incident Religious Faith and Suicide Means of committing suicide. CHAPTER 6 Debt-ridden Farmers End Their Lives Suicides in Wayanad District (2004) CHAPTER 7 Teenagers Snuff out their Lives Teenage Suicides — Two Incidents CHAPTER 8 Recent Trends Male-Female Ratio Suicide of Housewives Education Level and Health Suicide and Artistic Talents Means Adopted to Commit Suicide CHAPTER 9 Weird, Painful Truths CHAPTER 10 Back from the Jaws of Death Experience from Suicide Clinics Story of Lathika and Sunitha CHAPTER 11 Action Plan to Prevent Suicides CHAPTER 12 Be a Helpline Volunteer CHAPTER 13 Let's Share a Smile Wilfred Teaches a Lesson Another Lesson from Viji Some Misconceptions Role of the Media BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX EPILOGUE POSTSCRIPT ART GALLERY