Suicide issues, challenges and prevention practices in Nepal

Abstract

Narendra Singh Thagunna

Suicide has become a serious mental health and public health concern with over 6279 deaths reported this year by suicide in Nepal, and more than 800,000 deaths worldwide in 2019-2020. Suicide is a leading cause of deaths worldwide Though, Nepal does not have trustworthy data related to suicide and attempted suicide. Suicide prevention efforts need a comprehensive approach and research must lead to effective implementation across public and mental health systems. Various interventions have been undertaken at different levels in prevention and rehabilitation however a specific long-term national strategy for suicide prevention is lacking. The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention has put forth the Zero Suicide (ZS) Model, a framework to coordinate a multimode approach to implementing evidence-based practices in United States of America. Similarly are you OK? Campaign in Australia and Kachhari: Mental Health Literacy Campaign for Suicide Prevention in Nepal. In Nepal, Ministry of Health prioritized Suicide Prevention issues from 2019 and launched four digit hotline. Non-government organizations; the school of psychology Nepal (TSOP Nepal), TPO Nepal, Koshish Nepal are working on suicide prevention in community level. The school of psychology has started suicide prevention facilitation training (SPFT)-Lifeline Saving lives training module for promoting suicide prevention awareness in community level with bottom-up approach, where dynamic and participatory community engagement through all ages participants. This paper aims to assess the national situation, challenges, activities and strategies regarding suicide prevention in Nepal and also suggests a way forward in regards to prevent and decrease the rate of suicide in Nepal. It will use the grey literatures such as reports from the governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, interviews with the stakeholders and personal reflection in the report. This report portrays the comprehensive and contextual scenario and explanation of suicide in Nepal.