The Himalaya Wellness Company has partnered with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) to launch a community-focused suicide prevention program named ‘Project Suraksha’. 

The pilot program, which is in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘LIVE LIFE’ implementation guide for suicide prevention, aims to prevent suicides and improve access to mental health in Karnataka. The preliminary phase will be undertaken in Channapatna taluk of Ramanagara district in Karnataka.

The project will be implemented in three phases which will include an analysis of the existing suicide prevention programs, workshops, and interventions. The program includes evidence-based strategies like restricting access to means of suicide, responsible suicide reporting by media, life-skills training programs for the youth, early identification of triggers, and risk management. 

Speaking on the project, K G Umesh, Director of Human Resources, Himalaya Wellness Company, said in a press release, “Through this partnership with NIMHANS, we endeavor to build a holistic community-based suicide surveillance program to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of suicide prevention through various interventions, thereby aiming to reduce the suicide rate at the state and national level.”

According to a National Crime Report Bureau (NCRB) report 2021, Karnataka reported a 6.5% increase in the number of suicides from 2020 and a 19.5% rate of suicide which is higher than the national average of 12%.  

The individuals in the program will be repeatedly examined to document and detect any changes that might occur. Post this study, they aim to scale the project to a national level over a period of three years.

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