Suicide is one among the top three causes of death among the youth worldwide. The World Health Organization(WHO) opines that suicide accounts for nearly 10 lakh global deaths annually. The alarming and persistent trends in suicide necessitated timely action among the mental health care providers and community leaders. So, with the objective to provide hope and support to people having suicide intentions, the World Suicide Prevention Day was started. It is a global awareness event observed on the 10th of September every year for the last two decades commemorating the awareness of suicide prevention and celebrating the counter-actions made to abolish it.
This year 2023, the World Suicide Prevention Day theme is “Creating Hope Through Action”, which is a continuation of a triennial theme (2021-23). Canara Educational Institutions, which is ever committed to social causes, organized ‘World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 WALKATHON, Creating Hope Through Action’ on September 09, 2023 at 7:45am in the College quadrangle.With the flag off at 7:45am from Canara College, the students of various Canara Educational Institutions began their walkathon from their own institutions which culminated at Canara College. While traversing through different routes they carried placards with slogans creating awareness that suicide is preventable.
The walkathon was a compelling call to action, for the public to consider alternatives and communal actions to promote optimism and avoid suicidal acts, thereby providing a hope for the hopeless.In this Walk of Life, 48 placards were diligently and creatively prepared, as a noble contribution by the NSS volunteers of Canara College and 120 Volunteers actively took part in this Walkathon. Post-walkathon refreshments were provided.
Sri. M. Padmanabha Pai, Vice-President, Canara High School Association, in his presidential speech while addressing the youth asserted, “Suicide is not the answer. One must evince resilience, fortitude and optimism in trying times.” The esteemed members of Canara High School Association present on the occasion were Sri D. Vasudeva Kamath, President, and Sri. M. Ranganath Bhat, Honorary Secretary.
Report by,
Mrs. Seema Prabhu S.
Mrs. M. Keerthana Bhat
