Author:

Abstract:

Every day nearly 36 farmers kill themselves in India and there are at least ten times as many attempts. In the light of this, we enquire whether only economic factors or in confluence with other variables constitutethe determining factor of the phenomenon. As we need a language to discuss the appropriate strategies of prevention of suicide and postvention of the bereavers we enter into a discourse with the ethical teachings ofthe Roman Catholic Church. Based on this theological and ethical foundation, from a plethora of conceptual prevention models provided by psychiatrists, our research incorporates two models viz. Universal/Selective/Indicated model and Primary/Secondary/Tertiary model, as cost effective and integrative strategies for prevention. Further we investigate the feasibility of developing an effective pastoral strategy of postvention that puts the bereaved on the pathway to healing. We believe that our studywill help to initiate and promote specific plans for preventive and postventive actions that are humane, effective, evidence-based and respectful of community and culture-based knowledge.