Lok Sabha Question No. 1876 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Treating Suicide as Health Emergency
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Mahendra Singh Solanky, Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1876 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 ND AUGUST,2024

## TREATING SUICIDE AS HEALTH EMERGENCY

## 1876. DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND: SHRI PRATAPCHANDRASARANGI: SHRI MAHENDRASINGH SOLANKY:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has considered the increasing suicide cases as a public health emergency, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government plans to establish effective surveillance mechanisms to reduce the suicide cases in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has created the institutions to reduce suicides in the country including in rural areas, if so, the details thereof along with the details of already established such institutions and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken steps to reduce stigma associated with suicidal behaviours, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SH. PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) to (d) The Government has released the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in November,
- 2022 (i.e. https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/National%20Suicide%20Prevention%20Strategy.pdf ). This Strategy provides a framework for multiple stakeholders to implement activities for prevention of suicides and 10% reduction in mortality due to suicide by 2030 in India.

As per the available information, there are 47 Government run mental hospitals in the country, including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions, viz. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi.

Further, to enhance the capacity of health services in the country, the Government of India is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). Under the Tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities. The Government has also supported to establish / strengthen 47 PG Departments in mental health specialties in 19 Government medical colleges/institutions.

Mental Health Services are also provisioned for 22 All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS). These services are also available under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission with the objectives that include suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills training and counselling in schools and colleges.

Facilities made available under DMHP at the District Hospitals, Community Health Centre(CHC) and Primary Health Centre(PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the District level. The State-wise list of 767 districts approved under DMHP is available at https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/List%20of%20Approved%20DMHP%20Districts\_0. pdf.

In addition to the above, the Government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. The Government has upgraded more than 1.73 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) and Urban Health & Wellness Centres (UHWCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

To generate awareness among masses about mental illness, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities and awareness generation activities in the community, schools, workplaces, with community involvement are an integral part of NMHP.

Besides the above, the Government has launched a 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' (NTMHP) on 10th October, 2022, to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 23.07.2024, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services. More than 11,76,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number.

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