Bengaluru, May 21, 2026: NIMHANS Suicide Prevention, Research, Implementation Training and Engagement Centre has announced the expansion of Project SURAKSHA, its community-based suicide prevention initiative, across the entire Ramanagara district in Karnataka. The programme is being scaled through a collaboration between National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, the Government of Karnataka and Himalaya Wellness Company.
Launched in 2023, Project SURAKSHA was initially implemented as a pilot across 32 panchayats in Channapattana taluk. The initiative aligns with India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2022) and the World Health Organization’s LIVE LIFE framework. According to N-SPRITE, it is India’s first sustained community-based suicide prevention programme.
The project focuses on surveillance, crisis intervention, community awareness and restriction of lethal means. Community-Based Surveillance Teams (CBSTs), comprising healthcare workers, panchayat leaders, teachers and self-help group members, have conducted over 300 stakeholder visits and reached more than 6,000 people.
The initiative has also trained 4,185 frontline workers including police personnel, Anganwadi workers, healthcare staff and educators through suicide gatekeeper training programmes. Awareness sessions under the project have reached over 14,000 students across schools and colleges.
Dr. Anish V Cherian, Principal Investigator of Project SURAKSHA, Lead–N-SPRITE, and Additional Professor at NIMHANS said, “The expansion of these projects is not merely a logistical milestone; it is a clinical necessity. By moving from localized pilots to district-wide implementation, we are closing the gap between research and practice. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Karnataka and Himalaya Wellness Company for their continued trust in our vision.”
The project currently maintains self-harm registries across 69 hospitals and health centres in the district. A total of 1,261 cases have been recorded, with the programme reporting no repeat suicide attempts among individuals after intervention support.
Dr. Prabha S Chandra, Director, NIMHANS said, “Suicide is a complex public health issue that cannot be solved within hospital walls alone. The success of Project SURAKSHA demonstrates that when you equip a community with the right tools, training, and surveillance frameworks, you save lives.”
Dr. Rajani Parthasarathy, Deputy Director, Mental Health, Department of Health & Family Welfare,Government of Karnataka, said, “The Project SURAKSHA initiative is an example of public health solutions rooted in the community. It proves that our local governance structures, in collaboration with frontline workers and members of the community, can be effective vehicles for social change.” Parthasarathy, Deputy Director, Mental Health, Department of Health & Family Welfare,Government of Karnataka
Mr. K G Umesh, Director–Human Resources, Himalaya Wellness Company said, “At Himalaya, we strongly believe that mental health support must begin within communities and reach people before a crisis escalates.”
In the next phase, the project will introduce specialised support services, including home visits by trained mental health professionals to provide psychological first aid and grief support to affected families. The programme will also adopt a “train-and-transfer” approach by partnering with local NGOs to ensure long-term sustainability.
 1 1.png)
x
 (1).jpg)
