BACKGROUND: India is experiencing increasing suicides that have much economic impact.
OBJECTIVE: To calculate the short-term costs of suicide in India.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the official data of suicides in India in 2014 formed the base of computation. Both direct and indirect costs were computed basing on market rates and official estimates. Perceived gains were deducted to arrive at the total cost.
RESULTS: The contribution of middle age group in the loss was high. Each suicide costs 2.65 L and the total cost of suicide in 2014 amounts to 348842.65 L in the first year.
CONCLUSION: Much suffering and burden on individuals, family, and society can be reduced if adequate treatment facilities for psychiatry patients are made available at affordable rates everywhere. This should be complemented by much needed public education.