Indian rural women's suicide beliefs and experiences: female suicidality as escape from and protest against a life usurped of agency

This study investigates the beliefs and experiences surrounding suicide among rural women in Bihar, India, aiming to understand how these women perceive suicidality in the context of their lived experiences of oppression and lack of agency. Through qualitative narratives, the authors reveal that many women view suicide as both an escape from unbearable circumstances and a form of protest against systemic violations of their rights. The findings highlight the need for targeted mental health support and policy reforms to address the underlying social and gender-based issues contributing to female suicidality.