Punjab Agricultural University’s UTSHAH is a flagship program to empower farmers and society to tackle the problem of increasing suicides in Punjab. The training of youth as paraprofessionals enables them to provide psychological first aid to farmers in distress. In this article, Vice Chancellor of PAU -Baldev Singh Dhillon and Professor of Journalism -Sarabjeet Singh outline psychological tools and practical ideas to prevent suicides.

I n India, more than one lakh lives are lost every year due to suicides. Suicide is a sensitive issue and a complex phenomenon. A person committing suicide experiences three things in common – a devastating feeling of defeat; helplessness to find an escape; and hopelessness for getting rescue. One perceives life unbearable to an extent that only death can provide reprieve. It is the pain of being tortured by one’s own mind. Research has often pointed at the socio-demographic and psychosocial aspects of suicide attempters.

Each suicide is a personal tragedy that has a ripple effect, dramatically altering the lives of family members, friends etc. At the global level, whatever may the reasons of suicides, the common stressor is unmet psychological need, the common stimulus is intolerable psychological pain, the common emotion is hopelessness, helplessness, the common cognitive state is ambivalence and the common act is aggression.

Suicide is a reactive crisis, yet 100 percent preventable. Then why not prevent it? Sociologists believe that suicide is not an individual act rather it is a social fact. It is not the individual only who is responsible for suicide rather the society at large; and the support system stands guilty for the gruesome act. This gives a cue to suicide prevention also. While the preventive measures for the aggrieved individual are important; at the same time sensitization of society at large is vivacious as well. The onset of technology has led to a situation where the social support system is fast losing ground, leading to a spurt in suicide attempts.

“Punjab Agricultural University’s flagship programme UTSHAH, is proactively addressing the issue of farmers’ suicides by considering the behavioral, psychological and cultural perspectives, too along with the agricultural and economic issues.”

Under the National Agricultural Science Fund of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, a project, ‘Addressing Farmers’ Suicide issue through Capacity Building of Farming Families’, is operational with Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana as the Lead Centre. PJ Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, and Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani (Maharashtra) are the cooperating centers.

This novel action project, aptly titled – UTSHAH, is proactively addressing the issue of farmers’ suicides by considering the behavioral, psychological and cultural perspectives, too along with the agricultural and economic issues. Capacity building of families is done through empowerment in terms of battling negative thoughts, enabling them with coping skills, financial literacy, etc. Rural youth are being trained as paraprofessionals to provide psychological first aid to the farmers in acute distress. The scientifically developed peer support system hopes to build human capital in rural areas. This experiment holds good for all sections of society.

 Read also : Spirit of Broth­er­hood and coun­selling can pre­vent sui­cides

“Crisis support is prime duty of the society. There is a need to strengthen the ‘people to people’ connection.”

It is difficult to find professional mental health help or counseling services in India as there is an acute shortage of mental-health professionals. India spends just 0.06 percent of its health budget on mental health which is even less than that of Bangladesh (0.44 percent). According to WHO figures, the developed world spends 4 percent of their budgets on mental health services that include research, infrastructure etc. There is an urgent need to allocate resources to this sector.

The inclination towards suicide does not get developed in a single day. It has an entangled relationship with the past events of a person. The suicidal behavior largely goes through the four steps – suicide ideation, overt intention, suicide attempt and suicide completion. While the psychiatrists believe that suicide ideation is common. Everyone in their lifetime have had these dilemmas at least once in hours of crisis or dejection. However, at the second step when one confides in someone one’s idea of suicide or starts announcing it more openly – that is the alert call. In second stage, the intensity increases because one starts planning for suicide, searching for the easiest and perfect method; as well as the suitable time to commit suicide etc.

 Read also : Pun­jab Farmer sui­cides – Are we miss­ing the ele­phant in the room?

The propensity of planning leads towards the third stage where one tries to commit suicide. This is basically an alarming stage to attract attention, a cry, a call for help and a sign of hopelessness. As per numerous researches, many suicides victims who are saved from their suicide attempt candidly confess that they did not wish to die. It was just because they were not having any escape from their condition that they attempted suicide. If required attention is not paid to the person who has attempted to commit suicide, the process goes on until the completion of suicide.

“3 Cs can help: Connect, Communicate and Care”

Now the question arises – How can these suicides be averted? The two basic actions by which many suicides can be averted are — First: When one is burdened with anxiety, stress, helplessness, hopelessness, fed up with life – he/she should just share the problems and the worries with near and dear ones. There is a dire need to train people to speak up, to reach out and stay strong.  Second: When anyone shares with you his/her sufferings, do listen actively and offer a helping hand. If in the hours of crisis, assure the distressed one – “Talk to me. You are not alone. You have options. Help is there”. Even this is of immense help. The society needs to infuse a spirit in a person that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. Tell the distressed person that despite the things you have been through, it is ok not to be ok. Have hope!

 Read also : Sui­cide Pre­ven­tion – a Chal­lenge in In­dia and the world

The basic first aid which each one of us can exercise is to become a patient listener. Let the aggrieved person ventilate. A promise of confidentiality, so that the aggrieved person can share his / her problems without fear, can go a long way in healing the wounds of a distressed person. If society joins hands to help, no one will resort to suicide. Crisis support is prime duty of the society. There is a need to strengthen the ‘people to people’ connection. A proven primary suicide prevention strategy is to promote the help available in the vicinity. Even provision of helpline numbers can suffice. Requisite treatment is also available. Early detection and treatment are the key factors.

The willingness and ability to work together, creating a harmonized society will lead to a positive and progressive nation. There is an imperative and urgent need to roll out a roadmap and an advocacy agenda towards contouring the social fabric for contribution towards safeguarding and enhancing the wellbeing of farming populace, youth as well as society at large.

It is high time to reach out and save lives. For this, three Cs can help: Connect, Communicate and Care.