Addressing Social Factors in Suicide Prevention Strategies

Authors from the Public Health Foundation of India call for a broader approach to suicide prevention that addresses socio-economic factors alongside mental health. Published in The Lancet Public Health journal, the series suggests public health strategies to lower suicides by 10% by 2030, emphasizing early intervention, reduced stigma, and cross-sector collaboration.

India needs to broaden its suicide prevention strategies beyond mental health issues, according to a new series published in The Lancet Public Health journal. The series, consisting of six papers, highlights the importance of addressing socio-economic factors like poverty, domestic violence, addictions, and isolation to effectively prevent suicides.

Collaborating with international authors, the Public Health Foundation of India has called for changing the narrative around suicide. Current national strategies, such as India's National Suicide Prevention Strategy, released in November 2022, are primarily focused on mental health. However, researchers argue that other factors, including unemployment and stressful life events, play significant roles.

By integrating these broader socio-economic components, India's strategy aims to reduce suicide deaths by 10% by 2030. The approach calls for effective surveillance, a mental well-being curriculum, and a focus on reducing stigma while promoting early intervention. Notably, with over 170,000 suicides annually in India, the study underlines the critical need for a supportive environment and multi-sector collaboration.

(With inputs from agencies.)