A Systemic Approach to Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in India
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Social Development, Health (Mental Health); Social Sector Initiatives & Schemes (Tele-MANAS, National Health Mission); Government Policies.
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society): Population and associated issues, Social empowerment.
General Studies Paper 2 (Health & Governance): Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population.
Essay: Topics on Mental Health, Public Health, and Social issues.
Key Highlights from the News
The article argues that while mental health helplines like Tele-MANAS, launched by the central government in 2022, play a significant role in suicide prevention, they alone are not a solution to this major crisis.
India faces a severe shortage of trained mental health professionals. The ratio in India (0.75 per lakh population) is much lower than the WHO recommendation (3 psychiatrists per lakh population).
Suicide is not merely a mental health problem but is deeply connected to social causes like poverty, discrimination, and isolation (social determinants of health).
In addition to helplines, community-level interventions are also necessary.
"Jeevaraksha" in Kerala (prevention using community gatekeepers), the "SURAKSHA" project in Karnataka, and the method of providing counseling to students who failed exams in Tamil Nadu are excellent examples of this.
Eliminating the common shame and fear (stigma) surrounding mental health, implementing strong mental health programs at school and college levels, and increasing government funding are the main ways forward.
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