Why in news? The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), in collaboration with the State government will launch “Surveillance system to track suicide and self-harm (Suraksha).

Highlights:

• It aims to develop an indigenized pilot model framework for suicide prevention research and surveillance
• NIMHANS will assess the feasibility and acceptability of community-based suicide prevention programmes through this pilot project.
• The project, being taken up with CSR funds from Himalaya Wellness Company, is in line with the “LIVE LIFE” programme of WHO for suicide prevention and the Government of India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy
• Following the Channapatna launch, the project will also be taken up in Mangaluru, Haveri and Ballari.
• The pilot program will help assess the cost-effectiveness across varied nodal stakeholder groups involving farmers, labourers, daily wage workers, student communities, media professionals, and women groups.
• A comprehensive surveillance system in the community that would include early identification, crisis intervention, and referral system

NCRB data

• According to a National Crime Report Bureau report 2021, Karnataka accounts for 8% of the total suicides in India, and is higher than the national average of 12%.