Angels Of Pune: How Shivar Foundation Is Working To Prevent Farmer Suicides And Support Mental Health

In the Indian state of Maharashtra, a farming crisis has led to an alarming number of farmer suicides, a problem that has prompted the formation of a Pune-based organisation dedicated to farmer mental health, suicide prevention, rehabilitation, and sustainable livelihoods. Shivar Sansad, founded by Vinayak C. Hegana in 2014, began as a youth-led movement and has since expanded its reach to 31 districts across Maharashtra, operating from its Pune headquarters.

Hegana, who comes from a farming background, noticed the challenges faced by farming communities during his studies and decided to bring young people together to address the issue. To combat farmer suicides and support mental health, Shivar Sansad operates on three pillars: prevention, rehabilitation, and sustainability, with mental health at the forefront of its suicide-prevention efforts.

One of the organisation's key initiatives is the Shivar Helpline, which provides farmers with counselling when they experience suicidal thoughts. However, the intervention does not stop at the counselling session. The organization conducts an agro-psycho-social intervention model, which assesses the agricultural and social challenges affecting a farmer and their impact on mental well-being. From there, they connect the farmer with relevant government departments, schemes, and agencies at various levels.

In cases where institutional support is insufficient, Shivar Sansad provides community-based, one-to-one assistance. They have also supported families affected by farmer suicides, counseling individuals such as Laxman Dattatray Gund, whose father took his own life due to debt and difficulties in accessing agricultural assistance. The organisation helped Laxman pursue government assistance for a farm well and other support.

Additionally, Shivar Sansad has provided assistance for seeds, fertilizers, and alternative sources of income, helping families cope with the financial impact of losing an earning member. Their work has extended to the younger generation through the Shivar Fellowship, which offers mentorship, guidance, and support to students and children from farmer families or rural backgrounds who have migrated to Pune.

Shivar Sansad believes that supporting farmers when they are at their most vulnerable is crucial, not abandoning them. The organization aims to address the agricultural, social, and psychological pressures behind farmer suicides, helping families access available support and creating opportunities for a more secure future.