Suicide prevention in Bangladesh: critical analysis of mental health law, policy and strategy

Abstract

Suicide prevention is an under-prioritised public health issue in Bangladesh. Recently, it has received academic attention substantiated by an increasing number of publications. Along with that, the Mental Health Act (2018), National Mental Health Policy (2022) and National Mental Health Strategic Plan (2020–2030) have come out. There are many challenges facing suicide prevention efforts in the country, such as suicide’s criminal legal status and associated stigma, lack of a national suicide prevention programme, inadequate clinical services, and most important, the absence of a national database on suicide. This paper analyses documents critically considering initiatives for suicide prevention, highlights the urgent necessity for suicide prevention strategies in the country and identifies prominent stakeholders. A national suicide database in which law enforcement agencies have a prominent stake is urgently needed. In the long term, suicide prevention should be considered in the lens of public health.