World Suicide Prevention Day
"Right approach and counselling can prevent suicides"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2022: National Mental Health Programme, National Health Mission and Directorate of Health Servi-ces, Manipur jointly observed World Suicide Prevention Day at the hall of Indian Medical Association (IMA) at Lamphelpat today.

A cycle rally was also taken out from the western gate of Kangla up to the campus of Department of Psychiatry, RIMS to raise awareness on suicide prevention.

Both the programmes were held under the theme "Creating hope through action" .

The programme held at IMA hall was graced by Health Director Dr K Sasheekumar Mangang; Additional Director of Public Health and Medical Directorate Dr Y Gopalkrishna and Additional Director of Medical Care, Medical Directorate Dr Lalthari Hmar as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

World Suicide Prevention Day

A State level symposium competition was also held as a part of the observance with the participation of 18 students.

Speaking at the function, Dr Sasheekumar said that suicide is a peventable disease.

Saying that suicide can be prevented through a comprehensive public health approach and by giving some sort of hope to people with suicidal tendency, the Health Director maintained that a collective effort is required to decrease the risk of suicide.

The Health Director further stated that that suicidal tendency develops when a person become hopeless or feel intolerable emotional pain.

He also opined that the World Health Organisation's choice of theme for this year's World Suicide Prevention Day--"Creating hope through action" is quite appropriate.

Continuing that giving judgment without any verification is a bad habit as it demotivates a large chunk of people, Dr Sasheekumar added that every obstacle can be overcome and this must be realised by the people, specially those with suicidal tendency.

Selling of medicines without prescription of doctors and smartphone addictions are also some issues which are detrimental to public health, he added.

The Health Director also stressed on the need to organise an awareness pro- gramme on suicide prevention at schools and colleges to reduce the cases of self harm.

State Nodal Officer of National Mental Health Programme Dr Athokpam Ranita said that 49 people in Manipur committed suicide in 2021 - Imphal West (21), Bishnu-pur (7), Imphal East (6), Kakching (4), Ukhrul (3), Chandel (3), Thoubal (2), Senapati (1), Kangpokpi (1) and Tengnoupal (1) .

She said that suicide rates were higher among adults aged 30 to 40 in Manipur.

Meanwhile, the cycle rally organised by the Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, RIMS was flagged off by the Medical Superintendent of RIMS Prof N Sanjib from the western gate of Kangla and the cyclists were welcomed by the RIMS Director at the campus of the Department of Psychiatry.

Speaking to media persons, Head of Psychiarty Department RIMS, Dr RK Lenin said that the significance of holding World Suicide Prevention Day is growing day by day throughout the world as instances of committing and attempting suicide are becoming more and more prevalent.

He said that suicide, however, can be prevented like any other diseases through right approach and counselling.

Saying that total number of suicides and attempted suicide reports by media is increasing since the last few years, Dr Lenin said that there are many cases of suicide which were not reported.

Dr Lenin also stated that psychological first aid must be given to people if there are behavioral changes in them to save their lives.

The role of people in preventing suicide is immense, he added.