Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Shivar Foundation Expands Farmer Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support
Shivar Sansad is a group in Pune that helps farmers facing serious problems.
It started in 2014 after young people studied why some farmers died by suicide.
The group now works in 31 districts of Maharashtra.
Farmers can call its helpline when they feel deeply distressed.
The organisation offers counselling and also helps solve farming, money and family problems.
It connects people with government schemes and other support.
It has helped families affected by farmer suicides with education and alternative livelihoods.
It also guides rural students through its Shivar Fellowship.
Founded in 2014, Shivar Sansad began as a youth-led effort to understand farmer suicides.
The Pune-based organisation now works across 31 districts in Maharashtra.
Its Shivar Helpline provides counselling and broader agro-psycho-social support to farmers in distress.
The group connects farmers and affected families with government assistance, livelihood support, seeds and fertilisers.
Its Shivar Fellowship mentors students from farming and rural families studying in Pune.
- Who
- Shivar Sansad, founded by Vinayak C. Hegana, and its network of young volunteers.
- What
- A farmer mental-health, suicide-prevention, rehabilitation and sustainable-livelihood initiative.
- When
- The movement began in 2014; the article describes its current work and expansion.
- Where
- Based in Pune and working across 31 districts of Maharashtra, including areas of Marathwada and Vidarbha.
- Why
- To address the agricultural, financial, social and psychological pressures contributing to farmer distress and suicides.
- Founded
- 2014
- Founder
- Vinayak C. Hegana
- Headquarters
- Pune
- Reach
- 31 districts across Maharashtra
- Initial research
- Fieldwork in 14 districts across Marathwada and Vidarbha
- Core approach
- Prevention, rehabilitation and sustainability, with mental health at the centre
- Key programmes
- Shivar Helpline and Shivar Fellowship