Technical assistance for setting up a national suicide prevention resource center and operationalizing a national helpline for suicide response

Background: Suicide is a major public health concern worldwide. According to WHO, more than 7,00,000 people die by suicide every year and the rate of suicide has been increasing. Nepal police report more than 7000 suicide every year. Evidence demonstrates that suicide is largely preventable through public health interventions. The stigma associated with mental health, lack of awareness, poor access to MHPSS services, and other socio-economic factors act as barriers to accessing care. 

The rate of suicide is also a measure of the happiness index. Suicide is a key indicator in sustainable development goals and Nepal aims to reduce the suicide rate to 4 per 100,000 population by 2030. However, the current trend shows that the suicide rate has been rising every year. Suicide prevention helplines operated across several countries have proven to contribute to reducing suicide and linking the individual to available services. 

Under this context, for the first time ever in Nepal, a national suicide prevention helpline with a four-digit number 1166 was launched on September 10, 2020. The helpline’s main goal was to provide immediate support and crisis intervention to individuals dialing the helpline. The initiative was carried out with the assistance of the World Health Organization Nepal in collaboration with the Mental Hospital, Lagankhel, and TPO Nepal. 

Objectives:

The aim of this project is to continue operationalizing the national suicide prevention helpline to provide crisis intervention to individuals with suicidal behavior and provide postvention care to people who have attempted suicide.

The specific objectives are:

• • To establish a well-equipped setup at Mental Hospital to run a 24-hour online and telephonic helpline service with a well-functioning digital platform
  •  Expansion of suicide response capacity through expansion of a full-time well-trained team for suicide crisis interventions at the MH hospital and outreach services for suicide attempt survivors and postvention services for family members
  • To continue providing psychological support and crisis intervention to people with suicidal ideation and behavior
  • To disseminate and brand helpline service through media information to seek helpline services
  • To document one-year experienced lessons of implementation and publish and disseminate them to stakeholders
  • To deliver postvention services
  • To build the capacity of beneficiaries and empower them to reduce stigma on mental health and suicide and promote help-seeking behavior

Target Population: People having ideation, thought, plan, or attempt at self-harm, family members, and individuals affected by suicidal behavior. 

Implementation area: The helpline is based at Mental Hospital, Lagankhel, and aims to provide services to people across 77 districts of Nepal.

Time frame: May 2023 – December 2023

Supported by: WHO Country Office Nepal