Medical Education Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang has said that with regard to suicide prevention strategy, it was emphasized that along with formulating this strategy, efforts should be made to take suicide prevention as a mass movement.
He said that in this inclusion off heads of social organizations, educational institutions, universities, organized-unorganized sector and industries is being considered.
Minister Sarang told the media with a high level meeting that soon the Medical Education Department of Madhya Pradesh will prepare a strategy for suicide prevention.
In this regard, the Medical Education Department has constituted a high level task force.
Sarang said that prevention of suicide is certainly a big challenge before the whole world.
Presently the cases of suicide are increasing rapidly in different sections of the society.
He said that there is a debate about this global issue, on which it is necessary to work keeping every section of the society in mind.
Minister Sarang said that the state government has decided that various aspects of this issue will be considered in preparing a detailed document of suicide prevention strategy, which while taking into account the social scenario will prove to be a milestone for its prevention in future.
Madhya Pradesh is going to become the first state in the country to formulate a suicide prevention strategy.Country’s famous psychiatrists will be part of the task force
Minister Sarang informed that a high level task force has been constituted by the Medical Education Department, which includes eminent psychiatrists, legal experts, distinguished citizens of the country working on various aspects of the society.
In the meeting held on the eve of Suicide Prevention Day, it was decided that sub-committees would be constituted mentioning various aspects of suicide prevention strategy.
These committees will give their report in 2 months after discussing at different levels and incorporating their views. After its compilation the entire document will be finalized.
Minister Sarang said that this innovative step and trailblazer of the state government, will definitely help in resolving this big issue spreading in the society.
By involving experts, the state government has demonstrated its commitment towards solving this problem.
Minister Sarang said that at present people take steps like suicide due to mental pressure in career, family and education etc.
The need of the hour is to take concrete steps put a stop to this.
Minister Sarang informed that in this regard, discussions will be held on legal aspects with legal experts to resolve the entire problem.
Public awareness will be promoted jointly by the society and the department, for which 6 sub-committees are also being formed.
He told that the World Health Organization has also told to prepare an action plan to work towards prevention of suicide.
At present, the toll free number has been issued by the central government in the name of Kiran.
In the coming time, the helpline will also be started by the state government.
Along with this, efforts will be made to arrange counseling to the concerned and to provide training to the family members. Data analysis of the behavior change of the person will be done and work will be done on it.
Formation of task force
The Task Force includes Dr. Harish Shetty, Senior Psychiatrist from Mumbai, Dr. Hrishikesh V. Behare, Pune, Dr. Satkant Trivedi, Bhopal, Dr. D. Vijay Kumar, Vice Chancellor, National Law Institute University, Dr. Ramgoolam Razdan, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Malvanchal University, Dr. Vijayendra Singh of AIIMS, Senior Psychiatrist Dr. RN Sahu, Dean of LN University Dr. D.K. Satpathy, Dr. Rahul Rokade and Dr. J.P. Agarwal.
Promotion through spiritual gurus also must
Minister Sarang said that public awareness can be brought against suicide through religious teachings through which religion and spirituality can also be added to the strategy.
It was suggested that for the prevention of suicide, public representatives and various social organizations should promote the prevention of suicide among people.
A suggestion also came to appoint a counselor for the prevention of increasing incidents of suicide among school and college students.
Classification for strategy formulation must
Dr. Harish Shetty, a renowned psychiatrist from Mumbai suggested that classification is essential for strategy formulation. He identified the causes of suicide among the low income group and unorganized workers and emphasized on their needs.
Voluntary organizations should also be brought along on PPP mode
Dr. Rishikesh Behre, Psychiatrist from Pune suggested that work should be done with voluntary organizations on PPP mode for awareness among the general public, so that it can be expanded as a mission.
Laws made to control the sale of toxic substances available in the market
Bhopal Psychiatrist Dr. Satyakant Trivedi suggested a strategy to control the sale of various toxic substances including pesticides used in suicides to which Minister Sarang gave his consent.
Commissioner Medical Education Sanjay Goyal, Director Medical Education Dr. Jiten Shukla, departmental officers including renowned psychiatrists of the country were present in the meeting.
