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Suicide prevention activities in Bangladesh

May 22, 2018 00:00:00


Suicide as an issue in Bangladesh does not get the attention it needs to receive. There is no structured surveillance against suicide in the country and no nationwide study has ever been conducted. Moreover, suicide is still considered a criminal offence. Fortunately, some activities have been initiated at different levels to change the situation. A specialised clinic named as 'Suicide Prevention Clinic (SPC)' was started at the department of Psychiatry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in September 2016 to provide specialised care to the patients who harbour suicidal intent. Patients taking suicide attempts are being referred by different departments. The clinic runs on Saturdays every week from 11:00am till 1:00pm. Currently, the clinic is headed by an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and supported by residents of the department. Also, Society for Suicide Prevention Bangladesh (SSPB) was formed in 2016 to deal with increasing incidents of suicide. Another initiative is KAAN PETE ROI, a hot line based suicide prevention activity, also known as Bangladesh-Befrienders. But the mobile numbers are not widely distributed and hence mobile communication is not always possible. These early initiatives against suicides have presented us with better prospects for tomorrow.

Dr. S M Yasir Arafat

MBBS, MBA, MPH, & MD

(Psychiatry) Candidate,

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib

Medical University

[email protected]


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