PANJIM: The NGO GOACAN has called for an action plan from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) to prevent the rise in suicides against the backdrop of the rising number of suicides in Goa.
In a letter to DHS Director Dr Jose D’Sa, GOACAN has pointed out that Goa has seen an increase in the number of deaths due to suicides among men, women and students in the recent past. These deaths due to suicides are possibly related to various causes such as family discord, depression, unable to face the pressure of competition & examination results, financial problems, breakdown of love relationship, harassment from family members, marital problems, domestic violence, sexual abuse etc.
The letter has further noted that prevention of suicides is possible if an individual is provided with the opportunity to speak in confidence to a trained counselor and opportunities of counselling and guidance from trained personnel are readily available at the village level.
GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins said they have recommended that DHS take urgent notice of the rising number of suicide cases occurring in the State and prepare an Action Plan to tackle the same with the collaboration with other Departments and stakeholders like the Directorate of Women & Child Development, Directorate of Education & Higher Education, IPHB, Goa Medical College and NGOs.
Other recommendations are that the DHS publicise the availability of trained counselors at the respective Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Urban Health Centres (UHCs).
“The DHS should be preparing an annual month-long activity plan from September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, to October 10 World Mental Health Day, which can be observed in all PHCs, UHCs, CHCs and District Hospitals. The DHS should identify specific activities for the prevention of suicides and the betterment of mental health in Goa at the grassroots through the Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Committees (VHSNC) at the Panchayat level,” the letter adds.
