Bias in the design of intervention a challenge to suicide prevention in Kerala

Pages: 403-409
Krishnan Gireesh (Clinical Psychologist, Harisree Insitute of Mental Health and Neauro Sciences (HIMHANS), Kollam, Kerala)

The state of Kerala is often described as “Suicidal Capital of India”. Family Suicide is unique in Kerala. Farmer Suicides still vulnerable in the State. In the early phase of 2000, the intervention design followed was by and large medical model. The Psychiatric bias, a confirmation bias in the design of intervention, aggravated the crisis. Hence a literature review of reports in media, articles, studies published in journals and reports on interventions has been critically evaluated and presented. The Plethora of findings and analysis suggest need to de emphasise the medicalization of social distress and focusing on other underlying process of human misery including poverty and lack of equity. The present review suggest need for population based socio-economic approach towards the intervention to prevent suicide.