The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has launched SURveillance system to trAcK suicide and Self-HArm (SURAKSHA), a community-based suicide prevention initiative.

Launched in partnership with the government of Karnataka and funded by the Himalaya Wellness Company, India, the pilot program will be implemented in Channapatna, Mangalore, Haveri, and Bellary taluks, and will include initiatives to overcome suicidal thoughts and provide appropriate interventions. The program will leverage community support to increase awareness, sensitivity, and training in a bid to curb rising suicide rates, and reduce access to common means of suicide like pesticides. 

“We have also developed training modules for teachers and school students to create awareness on mental health. This will help bring down the suicide rates. We will also work closely with local hospitals to counsel the individuals and families who present to the hospital with suicidal inclinations,” explained Dr. Anish V. Cherian, Principal Investigator, SURAKSHA, to Deccan Herald.

According to the most recent 2021 report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the suicide rate went up by 7.2% year-on-year in India, which already has the highest suicide rate in the world as per a Lancet report. Specifically, Karnataka reported a 6.5% increase in the suicide rate in 2021, accounting for 8% of the total number of suicides in India. In light of these figures, the country introduced its first National Suicide Prevention Strategy last year aimed at preventing suicides.

“We need a societal approach towards suicide prevention,” said Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS to Times of India. 

And we hope this model finds success in doing that.