To prevent farmer suicides, mental health experts from the state are engaging with farmer clubs across villages. The suicide prevention programme — initiated by the state government in partnership with Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in USA — started as a pilot project in Mehsana. Nearly, 182 villages have been covered under the programme.
Speaking about the same, Dr Ajay Chauhan, who is spearheading the programme, said, "This year, the theme of World Mental Health Day is 'Young people and mental health in a changing world.' Hence we have designed our initiative that will focus on adolescents and the mental health problems that they deal with. The programme is being conducted in three levels that includes awareness and counselling in high school students and college students, training old people and volunteers who can help identify suicidal cases and eventually refer cases to professionals."
He added, "Farmer suicide is also on the rise hence we have sought help from women self-help groups to engage farmer clubs across villages. These groups are working towards holding interactions with farmers, understanding their issues and cause of depression that can range from marital issues, financial issues, stress, etc. One social worker from our team is in-charge of 5-6 villages."
The idea behind the programme is to provide mental health services at door-steps and create awareness. "Since professionals cannot reach to remote areas, we have designed this programme. Once the pilot project analysis is over, we will be expanding the same to 33 districts," Chauhan said.
Funded by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the state government of Gujarat, with guidance and monitoring by Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad and an NGO Altruist also runs 'Dava & Dua' campaign. Dava & Dua is a unique concept of providing modern scientific mental health services along-with traditional faith healing to the people visiting the shrine for solution of psychological and behavioral problems.
FAITH HEALING
Dava & Dua provides modern scientific mental health services along-with traditional faith healing to the people visiting the shrine for solution of psychological and behavioral problems.
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