Tamil Nadu recorded 19,965 suicides in 2024, a disturbing figure that highlights the growing public health concern over substance abuse and its impact on mental health. Officials report that a significant proportion of these deaths were linked to alcohol and cannabis addiction.Around 71% of the suicides â approximately 14,175 cases â involved individuals affected by alcohol or cannabis use, illustrating the strong correlation between substance misuse and impulsive, self-harming behaviour. Experts note that addiction often worsens existing mental health struggles, making individuals more vulnerable to suicide.Data further shows that 76% of those who died by suicide were men, while 26%…