Bangalore: Bangalore-based National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) along with World Health Organisation (WHO) is working on an action plan to prevent suicides, which is on the rise in the state.

Nearly 12,000 persons commit suicides in Karnataka and on an average about 2,000 in Bangalore city in a year, Dr G Gururaj, Head of Epidemiology, NIMHANS said.

It is an alarming trend and needs immediate intervention. However, this requires the collective support of all sectors of society including education, social welfare, health, excise and even the drug and pharmaceutical industries, he told reporters.

The unique suicide prevention help-line "Sahai" in Bangalore, the only one in the country has been rendering yeomen service in this sphere. The one-year old help-line, which has received 700 calls so far, has evolved cost-effective, culture specific methods to help people on the brink, he said.

Around 90 lay volunteers have been trained in identification, counselling services and suggesting referrals. "We also have plans to extend the help-line which at present operates between 10:00-17:00 hours, to 24 hours in view of the overwhelming response," he said.

A recent case-control study by NIMHANS along with WHO, has zeroed in on risk factors for suicides after analysing 300 completed suicides and other 300 persons belonging to a normal group.

It was found that complex interaction of several factors such as interpersonal conflicts, marital disharmony, unemployment, sudden economic bankruptcy, domestic violence, alcoholism, presence of previous suicidal tendencies and mental illness like depression, anxiety lead to suicides, Gururaj said.

Majority of persons who commit suicides, lack a positive outlook towards life, problem solving and coping skills, he said.

There are certain others who need "extra protection" in a crisis, like those with earlier suicidal tendencies and ones who suffer from alcohol dependence and abuse.

There are also cases with a family history of suicides, those experiencing negative life events, persons who lack help whether it is resources or social support, which makes them more susceptible to suicides, Gururraj said.

The moot question is how do we extend support to these groups and increase positive protection to them. A "balanced approach" is the answer to reduce suicides in the long run and intervention strategies must include prioritised macro and micro level efforts aimed at individual and society, he said.

A number of workshops for Non Governmental Organisations (NGO), doctors, police personnel, media and people working in women and child development department have been held under the aegis of NIMHANS to work out strategies to deal with this "psychological malady", he said.

Doctors working in districts, especially where there are medical colleges have been trained to develop suicide prevention programmes, he said.

PTI