Suicide prevention measures discussed in Nepalgunj

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Sept. 24: Suicide incidents are increasing at an alarming rate in Nepal over the years. It was what the participants of a provincial-level interaction programme organised in Nepalgunj discussed on Monday. 

The stakeholders from three provinces—Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim--not only expressed concerns on the issue but also suggested ways to reduce the cases of suicide. Both the representatives of security agencies and other stakeholders focused on suicide prevention. 

At the programme, organised by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Department of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Population, the division's Non-communicable Diseases Chief, Dr. Pumawati Thapa, presented data that 7,223 persons committed suicide in Nepal during the fiscal year 2023/24. 

According to Thapa, 6,993 persons committed suicide in the fiscal year 2022/23, indicating an increase of 223 cases last year. This means on average, 20 persons take their own lives every day in Nepal. Thapa pointed out that psychosocial, social and economic factors were among the main reasons for the rising incidents of suicide across Nepal. 

Mental health specialist Dr. Basudev Karki from the Mental Hospital said that severe hopelessness was also a significant cause of suicide. He emphasised that identifying early warning signs and providing proper counselling and treatment is crucial in preventing one from committing suicide.

Most of the participants in the programme highlighted that mental health problems and the risk of non-communicable diseases have been increasing in recent times. They suggested that the three tiers of government need to develop plans to address these issues.

Addressing the interaction programme, the Mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, Prashant Bista, pledged to implement policies for suicide prevention. He also emphasised the need to make counselling services more effective in solving mental health problems.  Mayor Bista said that the police alone could not prevent people from committing suicide and stressed the important role of families and society in addressing this issue. 

The programme, chaired by the Chief of the Health Office Banke, Angad Bahadur Shahi, was attended by Bhimdutta Municipality Deputy Mayor Neelam Regmi, Banke District Police Chief and SP Tul Bahadur Karki, Armed Police's SP Bimal Dangi, Bheri Hospital's Nursing Chief Durga Laxmi Shrestha, Bardiya Hospital Chief Dr. Subash Pandey, and others, who emphasised the need for preventive measures starting from the family to society and school.