Karnataka expands suicide prevention initiative to 37 hospitals

Project USHAS, a suicide prevention and mental health support initiative, is being dramatically expanded across Karnataka as part of efforts to address rising rates of self-harm and suicide in the state. The programme, jointly operated by NIMHANS and the state government, will now reach 37 hospitals, up from its current presence in 16 facilities spread across 10 districts.

The expansion announcement comes on World Suicide Prevention Day, marked annually on September 10th, highlighting global efforts to reduce suicide mortality. The initiative represents a significant step in strengthening mental health infrastructure at the grassroots level, bringing professional intervention and support services closer to communities in need.

Project USHAS focuses on suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and post-intervention care for individuals at risk or those who have attempted self-harm. By expanding to additional hospitals, the programme aims to increase accessibility to mental health services across wider geographical areas and reach more vulnerable populations in both urban and rural settings.

The scaling up of the project underscores growing recognition among health authorities of the need for comprehensive, hospital-based mental health responses. Mental health experts have long advocated for integrated suicide prevention strategies that combine awareness, early intervention, and quality care to reduce preventable deaths.