Severe depression and a drastic reduction in tolerance levels are triggering suicides in Gujarat, according to psychiatrists and sociologists.

In the last three months, more than 40 people have committed suicide.

Psychologists say the highly risky stock market scenario is to a large extent responsible for this trend among Gujaratis, who are mainly an entrepreneurial people.

On Wednesday, four members of a family committed suicide in the Sabarmati area due to financial problems.

Psychiatrist Hansal Bhachech says in the last few years, there has been a three-fold increase in cases of depression.

"Adding to this is the consumerism, easy availability of cash through credit cards, consumer loans and the tendency to spend money beyond their means," he says.

Moreover, there are no counselling centres for youth on self-employment and entrepreneurship and therefore within a short span, new ventures collapse and entrepreneurs are in the red.

This results in frustration, which many a times prompts people to commit suicide.