Health Minister Dr. Lakshma Reddy on Thursday launched the Suicide Counselling Cell at the office of Director of Medical Education at Koti. The cell has assigned the toll free number 104.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the cell would be manned by trained personnel who would counsel people with suicidal tendencies. He said that the State Government was serious in controlling the rising suicide rate in the State. He expressed concern over a report of World Health Organisation’s which disclosed that nearly 3,000 people were committing suicide every day across the world.
Lakshma Reddy stressed the need for massive campaign to prevent people from resorting to the extreme step. He said suicide was not the solution for any problem.
The minister also expressed concern over the increase in incidents of suicide by farmers. He assured that the State Government would take all steps to help the distressed farmers. He blamed the previous governments for the recent spate of farmers’ suicide. He appealed to the farmers not to commit suicide under any circumstances as the State Government would extend them the required assistance. (INN)