Madhya Pradesh Ranks Third in Suicide Cases, Experts Urge Immediate Action on Mental Health
Madhya Pradesh has alarmingly climbed to the third position nationally in terms of reported suicide cases, prompting mental health experts to call for urgent and comprehensive action.
prativad 
Madhya Pradesh has alarmingly climbed to the third position nationally in terms of reported suicide cases, prompting mental health experts to call for urgent and comprehensive action.
Speaking at a two-day national conference organized by the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (IAPP) on Sunday, Dr. R.N. Sahu, Head of Psychiatry at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, stressed the immediate need for systemic reforms and grassroots-level mental health initiatives.
Highlighting the severity of the crisis, former IAPP President Dr. Indira Sharma pointed out that the suicide rate among Indian youth is almost double the global average. She attributed this to deep-rooted social failures, familial pressures, and insufficient mental health infrastructure. Dr. Sharma also raised concern about the increasing instances of abetment to suicide, describing suicide as a complex issue intertwined with societal, ethical, psychiatric, and legal dimensions.
Dr. Kavita N. Singh, Dean of Gandhi Medical College, shared positive results from introducing mindfulness and prayer sessions for medical students, noting a significant reduction in stress levels. She emphasized the crucial role of counseling services and active parental support in preventing suicides and improving academic performance.
Dr. Saloni Sidana, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) Madhya Pradesh, highlighted government initiatives aimed at strengthening mental health care. She promoted the use of the "Manhit" app for early mental health screening and elaborated on the "Manakaksha" program, which provides district-level mental health services.
Under the National Tele-MANAS program, more than 300,000 tele-counseling calls were handled via the 14416 helpline last year, according to Dr. Sidana. Additionally, NHM has launched targeted programs focusing on maternal and adolescent mental health, aiming to address issues at a formative stage.
Experts at the conference unanimously stressed the need for widespread mental health awareness campaigns, regular psychological screening, establishment of counseling centers, and prioritized suicide prevention strategies across educational institutions, workplaces, and communities to effectively tackle the escalating mental health crisis.
