By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
Youth volunteers participated in large numbers at various events, including an awareness rally and a photo expo, that marked observance of World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday .
The government organised an awareness rally under the National Mental Health Programme with a message of creating hope through action.
This year, the World Health Organisation and the International Association of Suicide Prevention, had called for global events under the theme ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’. According to global estimates, at least 7,20,000 persons committed suicide every year.
The Health Department pointed out in a press note that suicide rates were also trending upwards in India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. Of particular concern is Puducherry being in the third place with a 26.3% suicide rate.
Mental health experts have flagged substance use as one of the causative factors. There has been a sharp rise in the rate of student suicide, alongside the manner of ending life. Experts caution that each suicide death is preceded by several suicide attempts.
Drawing attention to the devastating impact of suicide on the family and society, the Health Department advocated constant engagement with family members, friends, colleagues or even a stranger that can offer hope and change someone’s life.
“Each one of us have role in preventing suicide and suicide attempts”, is the message to society.
The administration has also urged anyone feeling distressed, to call the toll-free 24/7 national tele mental health counselling help lines 14416 or 1800-89-14416.
The Trust for Youth and Child Leadership, in association with Alliance Francaise and Department of Visual Communication of Pondicherry University Community College, hosted a photo exhibition portraying the struggles and resilience of ordinary people to mark the observance at The Spot.
Among those who participated in the inauguration were Satish Nallam, president of Alliance Française, Lalitha Ramakrishnan, Principal of Pondicherry University Community College and Susanne Sollaman, psychiatrist at PIMS, Yuvayazhini and Francis Kulandairaj of TYCL.
TYCL said the exhibition aims to raise awareness on mental health and suicide prevention by showcasing diverse realities, struggles, and resilience of common people through the power of visual storytelling. The idea is to trigger dialogue and collective action to address the pressing issue of suicide, especially among young people. There is an urgent need for community-driven efforts to prevent suicide in Puducherry, which continues to have one of the highest suicide rates in India, TYCL said.
Students of Medical and Allied Health Sciences at MGMCRI under Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV) took out an awareness rally at Gandhi Thidal.
The event aimed to create awareness for the general public and the student community regarding suicide prevention.
Senior Superintendent of police – Kalaivanan, SSP, Law & Order, Rachna Singh, SSP Traffic – were the chief guests who flagged off the rally in the presence of Seethesh Ghose, Dean – MGMCRI, Swati Pawar Singh, DMS – MGMCRI, Avudaippan, Professor of Psychiatry and Vimalanathane, Associate Professor of Psychiatry.
Suicide prevention-related pamphlets were distributed to the general public.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416. and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)
