Role of philanthropy to support mental health interventions in India

By Priya Hiranandani

Sadly, more than 150,000 people took their own lives in India last year. Each suicide is a tragic personal event that prematurely claims a person’s life and has a ripple effect that affects the lives of their families, friends, neighbors, and society at large. Unfortunately in 2020, suicide claimed more lives in our country than Covid-19. Although there is a known link between mental illness and suicide, many suicides occur on the spur of the moment due to failure of coping mechanisms for life stresses such as financial difficulties, relationship conflicts, tragedies, abuse, pain/chronic illnesses, etc. .

While numerous stakeholders have attempted to raise the issue and shift the nation’s focus to mental health care policies, the sector remains underfunded. The health sector has received funding from philanthropic actors including foundations, multilateral agencies, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). There have hardly been any comparable initiatives or efforts in mental health yet.

More philanthropists need to focus on mental health

Mental health is an area that has been neglected by philanthropy for quite some time. In addition to supporting existing factors in the health sector, philanthropists must act as catalysts to accelerate access to this essential care. It is important to build new capacity, fund research, and focus on the intersection of mental health and suicide prevention. Philanthropic activities are the most effective way to address this important social problem through a wide variety of channels. For example: philanthropic organizations may decide to collaborate with educational institutions to integrate mental health into the curriculum, destigmatizing the problem and giving young people a place to access support, explaining how science can offer solutions and that stigma is neither useful or necessary. They can also engage the corporate sector to address mental health issues to ensure the personal well-being of employees while driving organizational efficiency.

1 in 5 adults experiences a mental illness each year. India officially reported 1,48,738 deaths from covid-19 in 2020. Many people are struggling with frustration, loss, grief, exhaustion and uncertainty. The discussion of mental illness and suicide is mired in stigma and taboo.

. Pervasive stigma makes people afraid and prevents them from talking about their own anxiety and depression. However, talking about suicide reduces the risk of actually committing suicide and inspires people to seek support and share their experiences. Philanthropists can help normalize safe conversations and understand that someone attempting suicide might not have received the kind of support she needed.

crisis intervention

According to the WHO, only 38 countries report having a national suicide prevention policy, and only a handful of countries have made suicide prevention one of their top health goals. For national responses to be effective, there must be a comprehensive multisectoral suicide prevention strategy. For nations to make progress in suicide prevention, it is essential to increase community awareness and eliminate the stigma around suicide. Young adults are generally better at talking about mental health illnesses in a non-stigmatizing way. The reach, accessibility, nonjudgmental nature, and anonymity of social media platforms are potential assets in the fight against suicide.

Someone in crisis may need support and intervention services at any time, but especially at night when they are most vulnerable. The likelihood of suicide is reduced in at-risk patients who receive additional screening, a safety intervention plan, and access to therapy and crisis intervention services. Today, there are forums that work around the clock to offer free, qualified and essentially private care and support to depressed and suicidal people, with the help of private helplines staffed by highly trained volunteers, as well as instant messaging channels like WhatsApp. Since loneliness and anxiety often trigger self-destruction, listening carefully, without criticizing or judging, can help prevent possible suicide.

Suicide prevention and control

Although suicide is a serious public health problem, it can be prevented through rapid, reliable and affordable interventions. Numerous activities can be carried out at the community, subpopulation, and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. Various sectors of society, including the health sector, as well as sectors such as education, labor, agriculture, business, justice, law, defence, politics and the media, must coordinate their efforts to effectively prevent suicide.

When someone claims that they have not been affected by mental illness, they simply indicate that it has not happened yet. We need to understand that it is not someone ‘other’ who has mental health issues, it is ourselves, our family, our neighbors, the people we hang out with at board and committee meetings, and the young students in our schools and universities. If we had a true understanding of the lives of others, we would be amazed at their suffering, difficulties and courage and strength to overcome them. Speaking up, sharing our experiences, and normalizing conversations around mental health challenges are some of the most crucial work we can do as a community.

(The author is Vandrevala; Co-founder, Vandrevala Foundation. The opinions expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of FinancialExpress.com).