Over 2,800 Lives Saved: State Health Department’s Counseling Initiative Curbs Suicide Attempts
The State Health Department in Bengaluru has successfully prevented suicide attempts and self-harm by counseling and saving the lives of over 2,800 individuals. This initiative, carried out in five general hospitals in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM) and NIMHANS, is part of the Urban Self-HArm Study (USHAS) project.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, India witnessed an alarming increase in suicides in 2021, with a total of 1,64,033 cases reported. This represents a 7.2% rise compared to the previous year, making it the highest suicide rate since 1967.
Under the USHAS project, trained counsellors have been stationed at the emergency departments of five hospitals, namely Victoria, Bowring and Lady Curzon, Jayanagar General, K.C. General, and C.V. Raman. From October 2022 to August 2023, a total of 2,866 individuals, including 1,390 females and five transgenders, reported self-harm or previous suicide attempts.
The primary objective of the project is to provide psychosocial intervention, counseling, and treatment to individuals at risk of repeated suicide attempts. By targeting this vulnerable group, the initiative aims to prevent them from carrying out further acts of self-harm. The project ensures support for individuals across all health institutions in the State, as mandated by Section 115 of the Mental Health Care Act, 2017.
Rajani Parthasarathy, the State Deputy Director (Mental Health), emphasized the importance of follow-up care. After initial counseling, the suicide attempt survivors and their families receive telephonic follow-ups for the next six months at regular intervals. This ongoing support is crucial to prevent relapses and provide ongoing assistance.
Anish V. Cherian, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatric Social Work at NIMHANS and the principal investigator of the project, revealed that a majority of the reported cases belong to the 18-24 years age group, closely followed by the 25-30 years group. The most common methods used for self-harm are poisoning and medicine overdose.
Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, Randeep D., the State Health Commissioner, has issued a circular directing all hospitals in the State to offer mandatory counseling and local admission for individuals reporting self-harm or suicide attempts. This directive aims to expand the reach of counseling services beyond the current five hospitals in Bengaluru.
In addition to the State Health Department’s efforts, a helpline called SAHAI provides support and counseling for those experiencing emotional distress or contemplating suicide. Run by volunteer counselors, the helpline receives an increasing number of calls from students, professionals in the IT sector, and victims of domestic violence. The helpline, which operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, has been instrumental in providing assistance and hope to many.
The State Health Department’s counseling initiative has made significant progress in curbing suicide attempts and self-harm in Bengaluru. By addressing the underlying issues and providing support, they have managed to save thousands of lives. The continuation and expansion of such vital programs are crucial to combat this growing mental health crisis in India.
