Background: TPO Nepal, in collaboration with the Lagankhel Mental Hospital, is starting the 1166 National Suicide Prevention Helpline with an aim to provide emotional support to people having suicidal thoughts, behaviors and with suicidal history. Amid the deplorable situation of increasing rate of suicide among Nepalese population, the helpline service kickstarted as a 24*7 service. The service can also be extended to people with other mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, panic attack, COVID-induced fear and psychosocial problems, relationship issues, etc.

Objectives:

The aim of the project is to operationalize a national suicide prevention helpline to provide crisis intervention to individuals with suicidal behavior. The specific objectives are:

• Establishment of a well-equipped setup at Mental Hospital to run a 24-hour online and telephone helpline
• Expansion of suicide response capacity through expansion of full-time well-trained team for suicide
• Crisis interventions at the Mental Hospital and outreach services for suicide attempt survivors and postvention
• Provide services for family members
• Continue providing psychological support and crisis intervention to people with suicidal ideation and behaviour
• Disseminate and brand helpline service through media information to seek helpline services
• Document one-year experienced lessons of implementation and publish and disseminate it to stakeholders

Target group: People with suicidal ideation and behavior and family members

Implementation area: Kathmandu

Time frame: May 2021 to February 2022

Supported by: World Health Organization (WHO)