Feasibility of Mental Health Crisis Helpline Services for the Prevention of Suicide in Nepal

According to the World Health Organization, almost 7000 individuals commit suicide in Nepal each year, resulting in a suicide rate of 24.90 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants. People who are suicidal or contemplating suicide are usually served via crisis helplines. The purpose of this study is to look at the availability, effectiveness, and viability of Mental Health Crisis Helpline Services in the Kathmandu Valley by looking into the service status, client knowledge, attitude, practices, and satisfaction outcomes.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. Clients over the age of 18 who received health services from TUTH and Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) as well as mental health care providers from TUTH, PAHS, TPO-Nepal, Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Centre, and Chhahari Nepal for Mental Health were included in the study.

This study included 204 individuals with an average age of 30 years. Clients were aware of the helplines in 13.7 percent of cases, although utilization was minimal (2%). Client satisfaction was assessed by interviewing a total of ten clients who used TUTH’s helpline service. The majority of the clients (N=8) were pleased with the services they received and believed they had benefited from them. A total of 15 people from various mental health organizations were registered in the Key Informant Interview. The following were the major barriers to helpline service accessibility: a lack of trained service providers, a lack of time for proper counseling over the phone for those who cannot come to a health facility, busy networks due to a limited number of call lines, and a lack of feedback and follow-up for motivation in providing services.

In Nepal, the culture of seeking assistance through a helpline is still developing. There is a large gap in the amount of understanding and use of hotline services among all types of informants. This scenario could be addressed by public health awareness campaigns about helpline services, as well as financing available. The focus on continual quality improvement should not be restricted to helplines, according to us.