Majority of callers are men; post-Covid surge most visible among youth
Suicide prevention calls to Gujarat’s EMRI-104 helpline have risen nearly nine-fold in four years, with data showing a sharp increase after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The helpline, which received just 230 suicide-related calls in 2020, handled 2,023 such cases in 2024. In the first eight months of 2025 alone, 1,515 calls have already been logged.
Changing Caller Profile
Gender: Men account for 62% of callers, while women make up 32%.
Age shift: In 2024, most callers were aged 36–45, but in 2025, the 25–35 age group leads, followed by 46–55 and 16–24.
Causes Behind the Calls
An analysis of 7,737 cases (Sept 2019–Aug 2025) reveals:
Mental illness: 4,326 cases – including major depressive disorder (acute and chronic), bipolar disorder, and personality disorders.
Family issues: 2,323 cases.
Romantic relationships: 496 cases.
Other triggers included financial stress, medical illness, and harassment.
Psychologist Dr. Prashant Bhimani noted a global 25–30% rise in depression and anxiety post-Covid, adding, “Young people today struggle more with failure. Increased screen time and exposure to negative content have worsened the situation.”
District-Wise Breakdown
Of all calls received in the period, Ahmedabad reported the highest (2,847), followed by Vadodara (609), Banaskantha (537), Rajkot (511), Gandhinagar (415), and Surat (372).