DMHP Senapati observes "World Suicide Prevention Day, 2021"
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, September 10 2021: Joining with the rest of the world, the District Mental Health Program, District Health Society, Senapati observed "World Suicide Prevention Day, 2021" under the theme, 'Creating Hope through Action' at CMO Conference Hall, Senapati today.

The programme was participated by DLOs, MO in-charge of all the PHCs, CHOs and ASHA facilitators.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ngouniba Peter, District Nodal Officer, DMHP, Senapati stated that the number of deaths due to suicide is increasing all around the world while adding that there were many suicide cases in the State which has gone unreported.

He said that the cause of suicides are multidimensional and multi-factorial.

DMHP Senapati observes World Suicide Prevention Day, 2021

Suicides were more prevalent in the middle or low income countries compared to other developed countries.

"Everyone has a responsibility to prevent suicide as it is preventable.

World Suicide Prevention Day is a call to take action in order to prevent suicide cases in our society", he added.

Dr Pfokreho Pfoze, CMO/Director, District Health Society stated that suicide has now become a public health problem.

Less inter-personal relationship, high work stress are some of the causes leading to depression and suicide.

A person cannot have a good health unless one has a good mental health and that every individual has a huge role to play to prevent suicide, be it, in our homes, localities, Churches and work space, he said.

Paveine Paulina Y, Clinical Psychologist, DMHP, Senapati spoke on the causes of suicide, clarified myths and misconception of suicide by facts, discussed the warning signs and what an individual could do as a first-aid intervention when dealing with a suicidal person and the long term intervention.

To facilitate involved participation by the attendee, a case vignette and videos were also used for discussion.

She also shared the WHO guidelines of media reporting on suicide and emphasized on the etiquettes to be followed while discussing about suicide in social media like not to circulate explicit pictures, not to expose suicide notes, not over-report in a sensationalized manner, not to write the details of the nature and place of suicide, to provide helpline numbers, etc.

The participants were extended a collaborative approach to work together to promote mental health.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from RK Elizabeth, District Programme Manager, DHS, Senapati.

Later, posters to promote awareness on mental health were distributed to all the participants.