IJRSS Volume 4, Issue 1 ISSN: 2249-2496 _________________________________________________________ A Quarterly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International e-Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage, India as well as in Cabell’s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences http://www.ijmra.us 106 February 2014 PREVALENCE OF SUICIDES IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT – AN ANALYSIS Ms.P.Neeraja * Dr.K.Anuradha ** ABSTRACT Suicide, the deliberate taking of one’s own life is the third leading cause of death for adolescents in the age group of 15 to 19 years. India, the largest democratic country having the largest young population in the world, as become the suicide capital of the world. The suicide rate in India is 10.3% and in A.P it’s more than 11% (Reddy, 2012). In the last three decades, the suicides rate has increased by 43%. Majority (71%) of suicides in India are by persons below the age of 44 years which imposes a huge social, emotional and economic burden. Suicide can appear to be an impulsive act. But it’s a complicated process, and a person may think about it for some time before taking action. It’s estimated that 8 out of 10 peoples who attempt suicide or die by suicide hinted about or made some mention of their plans. The present paper is based on analysis of cases of suicides reported in four major circulated Telugu Daily News Papers, over a period of four months (Sep to dec). The content analysis was performed. It was found that majority of the reported cases of suicide were in the age range of 26- 40 years. The method of suicidal attempts reported was mostly by hanging and consumption of poison. The major reason for suicide reported was due to family conflicts and next to it financial problems seemed to be the major cause for suicides. The results are discussed with limitations of under reported data and with an emphasis on need for such analysis over longer periods. * Ph.D Research Scholar, department of Home Science, S.V.University, Tirupati. ** Associate professor, department of Home Science, S.V.University, Tirupati.