Lok Sabha Question No. 2342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-03
Subject: Suicide Cases
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Prataprao  Jadhav, Anumula Revanth Reddy, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Ravindra Kushawaha, Shrirang Appa Barne, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Sudheer Gupta, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2342

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 03 RD  AUGUST, 2021/ SRAVANA 12, 1943 (SAKA)

## SUICIDE CASES

2342.

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI ANUMULA REVANTH REDDY:

SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether cases of suicide in the country particularly in rural areas has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has conducted any study or proposes to conduct a study to find out  the  factors  responsible  for  such  increase  in various parts of the country, if so, the details and the findings thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes any specific plan for such section of the  society  to  check  trend  among  citizens  in  various  States,  if  so,  the details in this regard;
- (d)  whether  his  Ministry  is  taking  proactive  steps  in  coordination  with different Ministries to fight the mental health crisis many are facing postlockdown and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2342 FOR 03.08.2021

(a) to (e): National Crime Records Bureau compiles and publishes information on suicides in its publication 'Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI). The published reports are available till the year 2019.

The Government has not conducted any study to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on suicides in the country.  However, realizing the impact that COVID-19 may have on the mental health of the people, the Government  has  taken  a  number  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  health  professionals,  to  the  entire  affected  population, divided  into  different  target  groups  viz  children,  adult,  elderly, women and healthcare workers.
- (ii) Issuance  of  guidelines/  advisories  on  management  of  mental health issues, catering to different segments of the society.
- (iii) Advocacy through various media platforms in the form of creative and  audio-visual  materials  on  managing  stress  and  anxiety,  and promoting an environment of support and care for all.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2342 FOR 03.08.2021

- (iv) Issuance of detailed guidelines by the National Institute of Mental Health  and  Neurosciences  (NIMHANS),  Bengaluru-"Mental  Health in the 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   Health   and   Family   Welfare website under 'Behavioural Health -Psychosocial 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.

Further,  to  address  the  burden  of  mental  disorders,  the  Government  of India  is  implementing  the  National  Mental  Health  Programme  (NMHP). Under  NMHP,  as  part  of  National  Health  Mission,  Central  Government  is providing technical and financial support to the States/UTs, based on the proposals  received  from  them,  for  implementation  of  the  District  Mental Health Programme (DMHP) with the objectives to:

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2342 FOR 03.08.2021

- (i) Provide suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills training 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 human resource for mental healthcare.
- (iv) Promote  community  awareness  and  participation  in  the  delivery  of mental healthcare services.

Further,  with  a  view  to  improve  access  to  mental  health  services,  the Government is taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services  at the primary healthcare level. Mental healthcare services have been added in  the  package  of  services  under  Comprehensive  Primary  Health  Care under  Ayushman  Bharat  -  Health  and  Wellness  Centers  (HWC)  Scheme. Operational guidelines on Mental, Neurological, and Substance  Use Disorders (MNs) at HWC have been released under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat.  Through  these  guidelines,  mental  health  services  are being provided to all sections of the society.

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