About
10K2Zero
The vision
To reduce child suicides in India from 10,000 to 0
We aim to become a thought leader and ecosystem builder on suicide prevention amongst children and adolescents and harness collective action to develop interventions and tools, generate research and knowledge to influence policy change and carry out advocacy to bring child and adolescents suicides to zero in India.
Objectives
- Develop interventions, trainings & tools for child suicide prevention
- Generate research in child suicide prevention
- Drive policy advocacy and change.
- Build a strong, sustained ecosystem of implementation partners, Governments, civil society and funders.
Why was 10K2ZERO created?
More than 10,000 children and adolescents under the age of 18 die by suicide in India each year according to NCRB data
- Suicides increased 19% between 2019 and 2020 (9,613 → 11,396) and have remained above 10K for the last three consecutive years.
- Causes extend beyond exams: family conflict 25%, “love affairs” (NCRB’s term) 15%, academic failure 11%
- Girls are disproportionately affected in this age group. Higher incidence of sexual assault, love failure, unwanted marriage and pregnancies, and limited emotional support are major reasons.
- India’s rate for suicide in children (7.3 / 100,000) is nearly 2x the global average (3.85 / 100,000)
Adolescent suicide remains insufficiently understood and receives limited structured attention relative to the scale and complexity of the problem. The issue cannot be addressed through a single intervention or by focusing only on individuals experiencing distress. It requires us to understand the wider environments and systems affecting children and adolescents, and build prevention approaches across those systems.
The Gap
The government response to this critical issue has been to address school-related issues and teach life skills, neglecting other pressing causes such as:
- Family problems
- Intimate relationships
- Social and structural challenges faced by children and adolescents
Our mission
To reduce suicides among under-18s in India from 10,000 to ZERO.
We aim to contribute to this through:
- Research and evidence generation
- Policy advocacy
- Ecosystem building
- Development of suicide prevention interventions
- Gatekeeper training
- Youth-focused resources
- Parenting interventions
- Work addressing emerging challenges such as cyberbullying and social media
- Collective action across sectors
Why a collective
response is needed
Child and adolescent suicide is influenced by multiple and interconnected factors. There is a need for collective action to solve this public health crisis. All stakeholders are important partners in developing effective crisis response systems in the community.
- Media
- to promote responsible, hope-based narratives, reduce stigma, support public education, and promote help-seeking
- Researchers
- to develop and test sustainable and evidence-based programmes for preventing suicides among children
- Healthcare professionals
- to leverage their role and point of contact within the healthcare system, and integrate suicide prevention at the primary healthcare level
- Young people
- to bring in crucial lived experience input into the collective and help develop peer-led programmes
The organisations
behind 10K2Zero
Founding organisations
Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy (CMHLP)
Founded in 2007, the Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy (CMHLP), based at the Indian Law Society in Pune, works to strengthen and transform mental health systems through a rights-based and evidence-informed approach. Its work spans suicide prevention, community-based mental health, law and policy reform, youth mental health, health systems strengthening, peer support and capacity building.
Learn more about CMHLP
Quicksand
Quicksand is an interdisciplinary design and innovation practice that uses research, design and collaborative approaches to address complex social challenges. Its work is grounded in understanding people’s lived experiences and co-creating solutions that can lead to meaningful outcomes for people, communities and the planet.
Learn more about QuicksandPartners
Agatsu Foundation
Agatsu Foundation is a community mental health organisation based in Mumbai that works to make mental health support accessible, inclusive and rooted in community. Its approach brings together community-based support, evidence-based mental health care and learning, with a strong emphasis on lived experience and co-creation.
Learn more about Agatsu Foundation
Synthite
Synthite Industries is a global natural ingredients company with over five decades of experience in botanical extracts, spice oleoresins, food ingredients and related solutions. Founded in Kerala, Synthite today serves customers across more than 90 countries, with a focus on innovation, responsible sourcing and sustainability across its operations.
Learn more about Synthite
Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies
Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP) supports individuals, organisations and networks working towards meaningful and lasting social change in India. Its approach focuses on strengthening communities, enabling collaboration and supporting long-term systemic change across areas including mental health, active citizenship, access to justice, climate and the environment and ecosystem building.
Learn more about Rohini Nilekani PhilanthropiesPreventing child suicides requires effort from all of us.
Whether you are a researcher, funder, organisation, educator, policymaker, mental health professional or individual, there are ways to contribute.