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Pakistan

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: 0021 3983 2000

      Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

      1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
        • Phone Number: 042 3576 5951 (Umang Pakistan – Suicide Prevention Helpline)
        • Hours of Operation: 24/7
        • Additional Details: Free and confidential support for individuals in distress. (umang.com.pk)
      1. Mental Health Helpline:
        • Phone Number: 0311 7786264 (Rozan Helpline – Mental Health Support)
        • Hours of Operation: 9 AM – 9 PM, Monday to Saturday
        • Additional Details: Offers psychological counseling and emotional support. (rozan.org)
      1. Emergency Line:
        • Phone Number: 1122
        • Notes: National emergency number for medical, fire, and police assistance. Mental health crisis response is limited.
      1. LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Support:
        • Phone Number: Confidential online support is available through Naz Pakistan – Mental Health Assistance for LGBTQ+ Community
        • Hours of Operation: By appointment
        • Additional Details: Offers private counseling and emotional support for LGBTQIA+ individuals. (nazpakistan.org)
      1. Women’s Crisis Support and Domestic Violence Hotline:
        • Phone Number: 1043 (Punjab Women’s Helpline – Psychological Support for Victims of Violence)
        • Hours of Operation: 24/7
        • Additional Details: Supports women experiencing domestic abuse, gender-based violence, and mental health distress. (punjab.gov.pk)
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    • Hours of Operation: Information not specified.
    • Additional Details: This hotline provides support for individuals in crisis.
  1. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 17 (Police) or 1548 (for foreigners)
    • Notes: National emergency numbers for police assistance in Algeria.
Suicide Prevention in Pakistan

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 2.9 (2019 data). (worldbank.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: Suicide rates in Pakistan are believed to be underreported due to religious and legal constraints, but mental health concerns are rising, especially among youth and marginalized communities.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than females, with men accounting for a larger percentage of completed suicides.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Suicide attempts are more common among women, often linked to domestic violence, forced marriages, and social oppression.
  1. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (15–24): Rising concern due to academic pressure, lack of employment opportunities, and increasing cyberbullying cases.
    • Elderly (60+): Suicide risk is linked to financial struggles, family neglect, and chronic illness.
  1. Rural vs. Urban:
    • Suicide rates in rural areas are attributed to poverty, lack of mental health services, and family pressure.
    • Urban areas see higher cases among students and professionals due to career stress and social isolation.
  1. Special Groups:
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Experience high rates of depression and suicide due to discrimination and lack of legal protection.
    • Religious Minorities: Higher suicide risk due to persecution and social exclusion.
    • Women in Forced Marriages and Domestic Abuse Victims: A major at-risk group due to emotional distress and lack of support systems.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: Pakistan lacks a formal suicide prevention policy, as suicide remains criminalized under the Pakistan Penal Code. However, mental health advocacy is growing.
  • Key Elements:
    • Expansion of psychiatric services in public hospitals.
    • Religious leaders involved in mental health discussions to reduce stigma.
    • Increasing digital mental health support.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Zindagi Bachao” (“Save a Life”) campaign promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention education.
  1. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • University Mental Health Programs: Psychological counseling introduced in select universities.
    • Support for Domestic Abuse Survivors: Government and NGO-led shelters offering psychological counseling.
  1. Collaborative Efforts:
    • WHO and Pakistan Mental Health Coalition working on mental health reform and suicide prevention.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • Talk to Me Pakistan – A suicide prevention app connecting users with mental health professionals.
    • Social media awareness campaigns combating mental health stigma.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Training for religious scholars to address suicide prevention in sermons.
    • Expansion of peer-support networks, particularly in universities and workplaces.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • Suicide remains a highly taboo topic in Pakistan, influenced by religious beliefs and legal barriers.
    • Families often conceal suicide cases, fearing legal repercussions and social stigma.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited national data on suicide, as most cases go unreported or are recorded as accidents.
    • Need for more research into suicide trends among marginalized populations, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and victims of gender-based violence.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Increased efforts to integrate mental health into primary healthcare services.
    • Online mental health support is expanding, making access easier for young people and women.

References

  1. Pakistan Ministry of National Health Services. (n.d.). Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiatives. Retrieved from https://www.nhsrc.gov.pk/
  2. World Bank. (2019). Pakistan – Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 Population). Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/
  3. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Pakistan. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Umang Pakistan. (n.d.). Suicide Prevention Helpline and Crisis Services. Retrieved from https://www.umang.com.pk/
  5. Rozan Pakistan. (n.d.). Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Support Services. Retrieved from https://www.rozan.org/
  6. Naz Pakistan. (n.d.). LGBTQIA+ Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Support in Pakistan. Retrieved from https://www.nazpakistan.org/
  7. UNICEF Pakistan. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in Pakistan. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/