Madhya Pradesh Ranks 3rd In Suicides, Experts Call For Urgent Mental Health Action

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh stands at third place nationally in suicide cases, said Dr. R.N. Sahu, HoD Psychiatry at Gandhi Medical College, while addressing a two-day convention on suicide and mental illness hosted by the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (IAPP) on Sunday.

Dr. Sahu emphasised the urgent need for initiatives to tackle the growing crisis.

Expressing deep concern, Dr. Indira Sharma said the suicide rate among Indian youth is nearly double the global average, highlighting a severe societal failure.

She stressed that abetment of suicide is also a major concern and called suicide one of the most sensitive issues linking society, ethics, psychiatry and law.

Special guest Dr. Kavita N. Singh, dean of Gandhi Medical College, said that introducing meditation and prayer sessions for medical students has significantly reduced stress levels. She highlighted the role of counselling and parental support in preventing suicides and boosting academic performance.

Dr. Singh also promoted the use of the “Manhit” app, launched by the National Health Mission (NHM), for mental health screening. Dr. Saloni Sidana, mission director of NHM Madhya Pradesh, said that multiple social factors contribute to suicide and need urgent attention.

She detailed initiatives like "Mankaksha," providing mental health services in every district, and the National Tele-Manas Programme, which has handled over 3 lakh tele-counselling calls (on helpline 14416) in the past year. Dr. Sidana also discussed focused efforts on maternal and adolescent mental health under NHM projects.