Team Herald
PANJIM: On the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10), the Goa Civic Action and Network (GOACAN) has urged the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) to develop a comprehensive action plan aimed at curbing the alarming rise in suicides across the state.
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In a letter addressed to Dr. Vandana Dhume, Director of Health Services, GOACAN highlighted a troubling increase in suicide rates among men, women, and students in recent years.
The letter identifies various contributing factors to these tragic incidents, including family discord, depression, academic pressure, financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, harassment, marital issues, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. GOACAN emphasizes that effective suicide prevention is achievable if individuals have access to confidential conversations with trained counselors, with counseling services readily available at the village level.
GOACAN has recommended that the DHS take immediate action in response to the rising suicide cases by collaborating with other departments and stakeholders, including the Directorate of Women and Child Development, Directorate of Social Welfare, Directorate of Education and Higher Education, IPHB, Goa Medical College, Goa Police, and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Among the recommendations, GOACAN suggests that the DHS actively publicize the availability of trained counselors at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Urban Health Centres (UHCs). Additionally, the organization urges the appointment of a nodal officer within the DHS to coordinate suicide prevention efforts and gather feedback from the community, particularly from students, teachers, parents, educational institutions, senior citizens, social workers, NGOs, Village Panchayats, and Municipal Councils.
Furthermore, GOACAN proposes the creation of an annual month-long activity plan, spanning from September 10 (World Suicide Prevention Day) to October 10 (World Mental Health Day), to be observed in all PHCs, UHCs, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals. This initiative aims to raise awareness and promote mental health support throughout the state.
