World Suicide Prevention Day: NIMHANS, Karnataka government expand Project USHAS to 37 hospitals
The Karnataka government and NIMHANS are expanding Project USHAS to 37 hospitals to provide structured psychosocial support for suicide survivors. The program offers counseling, safety planning, and 12 months of follow-up care to reduce reattempt rates.
Why it matters
Expanding mental health infrastructure is critical for addressing high suicide rates and filling gaps in emergency post-attempt care.
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), the State government, and Himalaya Wellness Company have announced the Statewide expansion of Project USHAS (Urban Self-Harm Study) to 37 government hospitals across Karnataka.
Announced on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 on Thursday at NIMHANS, the expanded programme will provide structured psychosocial care to people who survive suicide attempts or self-harm incidents. It will cover all 31 district hospitals, and six government hospitals in Bengaluru for one year, according to a release.
Project USHAS currently operates in 16 hospitals across 10 districts. “The expansion aims to establish a structured post-attempt care pathway across the state’s government hospital network, with trained professionals, family support and follow-up for up to 12 months,” the release stated.
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