“Early Detection Saves Lives: Madurai Experts Highlight Primary Care’s Role in Suicide Prevention”

Role of Primary Care Physicians in Suicide Prevention: A Call to Action from Madurai

On World Suicide Prevention Day (9 September 2025), medical experts at Madurai Medical College issued a strong reminder: primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to make a critical difference in reducing suicides. Though not psychiatrists themselves, general practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing emotional distress—and early detection can be lifesaving.

Why Primary Care Matters

Dr. L. Arul Sundaresh, Dean of Madurai Medical College, emphasized that many patients who ultimately attempt suicide or take their own lives exhibit warning signs in routine health visits. These signs—often subtle—may include changes in sleep, appetite, mood, physical complaints with no clear medical cause, or expressions of hopelessness. However, many primary care doctors may miss these warning signals because mental health training is not always integrated into general medical practice.

Early referral to mental health specialists, timely counselling, and evidence-based interventions can significantly reduce suicide risk. As one expert at the CME (Continuing Medical Education) session put it: identifying suicidal ideation early not only saves lives, but can also prevent the long path of deterioration that follows untreated mental health issues.

Challenges in Identifying Mental Health Issues

According to Dr. S. John Xavier Sugadev, several factors contribute to the difficulty:

Lack of awareness or confidence among primary care physicians in asking about mental health or suicidal thoughts.

Social stigma around mental illness, which may lead patients to underreport symptoms or avoid seeking help.

Insufficient training during medical education in recognizing psychiatric symptoms.

Resource constraints, especially in low and middle-income areas, making specialist referrals or follow-ups hard to implement.

Furthermore, Dr. V. Geethaanjali, Head of the Psychiatry Department at the same institute, pointed out that many risk factors live not just in the patient’s mind, but in the community: social isolation, economic stress, substance abuse, marital or family problems, chronic illness, and prior attempts are among the strongest predictors.

Global & Local Context

While the focus was local, the problem is global: around 73% of suicides in 2021 occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Timely, low-cost interventions—not just medical, but social and community support—can have a powerful effect. Madurai’s medical fraternity has begun acknowledging that merely treating physical illness in isolation is insufficient: mental wellness must be considered part of holistic health.

What Can Be Done: Strategies for Primary Care

Based on discussions at the CME in Madurai, here are practical steps primary care physicians and health systems can adopt:

Routine screening for mental health
Introduce simple questions in general check-ups: Is the patient feeling sad or hopeless? Are they interested in life as they used to be? Do they have trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating?

Training and continuing education
Medical colleges and health departments should increase CME programmes and workshops focused on mental health, suicide warning signs, and referral pathways. Madurai Medical College’s CME for MBBS students is a good example.

Referral networks
Build strong connections with psychiatrists, counselors, social workers so that when primary care physicians detect risk, they can ensure prompt specialized help.

Public awareness and destigmatization
Promote awareness among the general public about signs of mental distress and encourage seeking help early. Destigmatization is essential so patients don’t feel ashamed or afraid to share their feelings.

Multisectoral coordination
The health sector alone cannot solve this. Coordination with education, law enforcement, social welfare, community leaders, NGOs, and policy makers is needed to address economic, social, and environmental stressors.

Conclusion

The message from the professionals at Madurai Medical College is clear: suicide prevention begins far earlier than many realize. Primary care physicians can save lives—not necessarily by being experts in psychiatry, but by being vigilant, compassionate gateways to mental health support.

As communities, medical institutions, and government bodies recognize this role, resources must follow—training, support systems, policy backing, and social awareness. If these align, many of the tragedies we read about need not happen. Early detection, timely intervention, and community care are not just ideals—they are essential, achievable steps toward a healthier, safer society.