Lok Sabha Question No. 2196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Increase in Suicides
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kirron  Kher

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUE STION NO. 2196 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INCREASE IN SUICIDES

## 2196. SHRIMATI KIRRO N KHER:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether there has been an increase in the number of people committing suicide in the past few monthsand if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether more people are facing mental health problems because of the pandemic situation; and if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  issued  guidelines to  all  the  State/UTs  to  provide  mental healthcare to all the people affected by the pandemic, including setting up of elephone helplines, if so, the deta ils thereof; and

(d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide better  access  to  mental  healthcare  to  the affected people?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)  to (c):  The  Government  has  not  conducted  any  study  to  assess  the  impact  of  COVID - 19 pandemic  on  suicide  or  mental  health  of  the  population.  However,  realizing  the  impact COVID - 19 may have on the mental health of the people, the Government has taken a nu mber of initiatives to provide psychosocial support during COVID - 19. These initiatives include:

- (i) Setting  up  of  a  24/7  helpline  to  provide  psychosocial  support,  by  mental  he professionals,  to  the  entire  affected  population,  divided  into  different  targe t  groups  viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers.
- (ii) Issuance  of  guidelines/  advisories  on  management  of  mental  health  issues,  cateri different segments of the society.
- (iii) Advocacy  through  various  media  platforms  in  the  form  of  creati ve  and  audio - visual materials on managing stress and anxiety, and promoting an environment of support care for all.

Health

- (iv) Issuance of detailed guidelines by the National Institute of Mental Neurosciences (NIMHANS),  Bengaluru- "Mental  Health  in  th e  times  of  COVID - 19 Pandemic -Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Health Care Settings".
- (v)All the guidelines, advisories and advocacy material can be accessed on Ministry of and Family Welfare website under 'Behavioural Health -Psyc hosocial helpline' ( https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ ).
- (vi) Online  capacity  building  of  health  workers  by  NIMHANS  in  providing  psychosocial support and training through (iGOT) - Diksha platform.

(d): To address the burden of mental disorders, the Government of India is implementin National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). The Government is supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 692 districts of t he country with the objectives to:

- (i) Provide suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills tr and counselling in schools and colleges.
- (ii) Provide  mental  health  services  including  prevention,  promotion  and  long - term continuing care at different levels of district healthcare delivery system.
- (iii) Augment  institutional  capacity  in  terms  of  infrastructure,  equipment  and  hu resource for mental healthcare.
- (iv) Promote community awareness and participation in the delivery of mental healthca services.