Recent statistics released by the National Crime Records Bureau of India ranked Bangalore as the metropolitan suicide capital of the country in 2010. Last year alone over 1700 residents committed suicide in the city.

Only a few decades ago, this southern metropolis used to be known as a 'pensioner's paradise' or a 'garden city'. That hardly holds true today. The city is now known for its multi-million dollar IT industry and its inhabitants have paid a price for these stark transitions. Experts say high aspirations driven by capitalism and consumerism contribute to the high suicide rates.

Driven over the edge
These western ideals have affected many people including Chris (not his real name) who was almost driven over the edge: "On some days, I would sit on the roof terrace and look down. The thought of ending it all would occur to me, but I was always quick to correct myself. I would tell myself, suicide is stupid. But looking back now, I think if my counsellor hadn’t stepped in at the right time, I probably would have thought, ‘What’s the point? Let me end this. Let me end it all.’"

Chris sought help from mental health organisation SAHAI, which runs a 24-hour suicide prevention helpline in Bangalore. Latha Jacob, head counsellor at SAHAI, is sure that youngsters are overwhelmed by the growing consumer culture around them.

"Spending quality has increased. Everybody wants the latest, and then you change the latest and everybody wants it to stay in the circle. And they get into debts. They want quick results. And when they can’t manage to clear those debts, it’s a shame. And they think ending life is the answer. Life is valued in monetary terms," Latha says.

Anonymous help
SAHAI is able to function successfully because it doesn't require callers to register or even identify themselves, while still allowing them to have personal relationships with counsellors like Anthea Roberts.
Anthea has been fielding distress calls at SAHAI for four years now: "They phone you for one last… ‘Let me see what someone else’s opinion is.’ But I am not here to be opinionated. I am here to give you options. To try and look at life in different ways and see that there is a life out there and it’s beautiful, you know."

The suicide phenomenon in Bangalore is perhaps only a symptom of a larger malaise. It leads to the obvious question of whether India still needs to adjust itself to its newly-acquired consumer-giant status.
This week’s South Asia Wired takes a look at the increasing suicide numbers in Bangalore:

Need help? You can call SAHAI on 080-25497777