Psychiatrists have been talking about ways to reduce suicides, but rue the fact that governments, state and central, have shown little interest. A blueprint to stem suicides, the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, was launched in November 2022. It also sought to develop guidelines for responsible media reporting of suicides and restrict access to the means for suicide. But two years later, nothing has happened,” said Lakshmi Vijayakumar, who has been running a suicide prevention programme, Sneha, for four decades. (Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416. and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)

Source: The Hindu July 26, 2024 14:34 UTC