The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru; Manashanthi Counselling Research and Training Centre, Mangaluru; Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru; Suicide Lifeline “A Unit of Susheg Charitable Trust, Mangaluru; in association with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of our Institute organized a one-day “Peer Led Suicide Prevention Programme for Students of Educational Institutions” – A Youth Empowerment Programme, an initiative sponsored by Karnataka Bank Limited, Mangaluru, was held on Monday, March 27, 2023 from 9:40 AM to 4:00 PM in the College Seminar Hall.
Sri Vijay Kulkarni, Deputy General Manager, Dept. of Branch Banking and Digital Channels, Karnataka Bank Limited, Mangaluru was the Chief Guest and Inaugurator. In his inaugural address, he said, “The persistent trends in suicide have necessitated timely action among the mental health care providers and community leaders. However, health care settings provide an important opportunity for suicide intervention and prevention, but they cannot fully manage suicide risk because of lack of training, knowledge gaps, and many other challenges. Hence, it is where the educational institutions can play a crucial role in embracing the principle of peer-to-peer suicide prevention. Therefore, this youth empowerment programme is one such step towards making it possible.”
Dr. Avinash Shekhar, Assistant Professor, Consultant Neuropyschiatrist, Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru in his keynote address on “Suicide among Youths” said “Developmentally, the years between childhood and adulthood represent a critical period of transition and significant social change.These transitions can be associated with the increased risk of suicide among the youths; as suicide is one among the top three causes of death among the youths worldwide. Furthermore, mental health is different for each people and it doesn’t stay the same at all the times. It differs with different phases of one’s life. Additionally, the transitional phase of youth is evidenced with lot of stress, fear, anxiety, peer pressure, entering into academics, relationships, getting exhausted, becoming addicted to substance abuse, experiencing of worst outcomes, and the like. This training programme therefore endeavors to empower the youth by training them to be the gatekeepers to prevent a suicidal tragedy. Thus, not only help yourselves, your peer groups, but also your community at large.”
Mrs. Sandra, a Senior Volunteer, Susheg Charitable Trust, Mangaluru in her keynote address on “Suicide Lifeline” said, “If you are not speaking out, you are storing it, and that gets heavy. Ignoring feelings may work for a while; but feelings tend to build up. Hence, reach out for help if things seem too much. Building capabilities to prevent suicide is critical. It is vital to recognize warning signs of suicide to provide timely support. Therefore, honing skills and confidence to understand and respond to the mental health well-being is vital to creating a suicide safer and more resilient community. Peer-led suicide prevention is thus an excellent way to help empower their communities to effectively intervene and handhold those in need”
The Principal Dr. Premalatha V. in her presidential address said, “Improving mental health literacy and developing skills to better recognize and support vulnerable people is an important part of suicide prevention. This training programme is, therefore, an apt effort to increase knowledge and understanding of suicidal behavior in order to increase one’s capacity to respond effectively to those in need. Hence, suicide prevention education when provided to the people of all walks of lives; we can certainly save lives from suicide, reduce the suicidal stigma and support those who have been impacted by it. While the soldiers guard externally, we as civilians also have larger responsibility to safeguard our community internally.”
The programme began with invoking the blessings of the Almighty by the College Prayer Team. Dr. Rameela Shekhar, Mental Health Professional, Manashanthi, Mangaluru delivered the welcome address and also gave the concept note of the programme.The Chief Guest and the Inaugurator Sri Vinay Kulkarni, Deputy General Manager, Dept. of Branch Banking and Digital Channels, Karnataka Bank Limited, Mangaluru, inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. The IQAC Coordinator Mr. Hardik P. Chauhan proposed the vote of thanks. Ms. Sheethal Pai, Vice President, Students’ Welfare Council mastered the ceremony.
Training Session:
The formal inaugural programme was followed by power packed training sessions facilitated by Dr. Rameela Shekhar, Mental Health Professional, Manashanthi, Mangaluru; Dr. Avinash Shekhar, Assistant Professor, Consultant Neuropyschiatrist, Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru; and Mrs. Sandra, a Senior Volunteer, Susheg Charitable Trust, Mangaluru. It had pre and post training surveys, participative activities and knowledge sharing sessions on suicide prevention. The participants were also provided with session handouts and suicide lifeline details. Participation Certificates were also issued to the attendees of the programme.
The programme concluded with participants sharing their feedback and usefulness about the programme. Ms. Sheethal Pai, Vice President, Students’ Welfare Council, proposed the vote of thanks.
A total of 91 student volunteers from Students’ Welfare Council, National Service Scheme (NSS), Youth Red Cross (YRC), and, Rovers and Rangers Association of the institute participated in this programme.
The programme oriented the students and enhanced their understanding towards suicide prevention. It also provides them with key takeaways of learning warning signals, risk factors, peer intervention, ways to get help, significance of hope kit, becoming gatekeepers, and above all forming a community of support.
The programme strived to achieve the core values of contributing to national development and inculcating a sense of value system amongst the youths.
Report By,
Mr Hardik P Chauhan
