Objective: To explore the protective factors associated with suicide from an Indian perspective.

Background: The Sanskrit word karma is derived from “Kri” which means “to do”. Consequently, ‘all actions and their effect’ are karma. Karma principle is said to determine what we deserve. It attributes constructs such as joy, sorrow, health and illness to action and thoughts in present or past life time.

Method: 10 patients were recruited using the convenient sampling method and their responses on the Beck depression inventory were recorded and their reactions to 3 specific items were recorded in verbatim. Themes and sub-themes were later identified with in-depth analysis of the verbatim. Observer triangulation, data triangulation and member checking methods were employed to increase the validity of the results.

Results: The following themes surfaced and were delved deeper into for a holistic understanding of factors that shield the patients against end-of-life practices – Moksh, Karma, past life, God, Suicide and depression.

Conclusion: In India, protective factors like familial and societal support, stigma associated with suicide and belief in fate, destiny and karma helped in positively coping and accepting the consequences of Parkinson’s disease and also dealing with the comorbid depression associated with it.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/how-cultural-beliefs-buffer-against-suicide-in-parkinsons-disease-patients-with-depression-an-indian-karmic-perspective/