EARLY identification and treatment of depression are critical to reducing suicide risk, says Indian consultant psychiatrist Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar.
In an interview in Nadi yesterday the founder of SNEHA, a suicide prevention organisation in India, said most suicides occurred because depression go undetected or inadequately treated.
“Early identification is important, the majority of suicides happen due to undetected depression or under-treated depression,” she said.
Dr Vijayakumar was a keynote speaker during the opening of IASP Asia Pacific Regional Forum 2026 at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa in Nadi.
She said Fiji’s hosting of the three-day forum provided an opportunity for developing countries to share suicide prevention approaches shaped by their own cultures and experiences.
“A lot of people from other countries have come to learn more about suicide in the Pacific, in Fiji and other places.
“Most of our knowledge has come from Western literature, so this is a great opportunity for people from developing countries like Fiji and India to teach the Western world about the innovative things which we do here.”
Dr Vijayakumar said traditional leaders, faith communities and non-governmental organisations also have an important role in identifying people experiencing emotional distress.
“When anybody is in distress or in crisis, the first person they go to is faith healers and traditional healers.”
She said these community leaders should be trained to recognise mental health issues and work with psychologists and social workers.
