Creating awareness on suicide prevention

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 12, 2019: The Department of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), organised a number of activities to sensitise the general public and youth regarding causes, myths and prevention of suicide.

A press release issued here said that September 10 is observed as World Suicide Prevention Day. A workshop on “Prevention of Self-harm” was organised by the Department of Student Affairs, MAHE, in association with the Department of Psychiatric Nursing, MCON, MAHE, for students of MAHE, here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Poornima Baliga, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Faculty of Health Sciences), who was the chief guest, spoke on the incidence of suicide cases globally (11.4 %) with Sikkim (37 %) having three times the global average of suicide cases.

She also emphasised on “the importance of expressing bottled-up feelings among people and the need to recognise people around us who show early warning signs”.

Tessy Treesa Jose, Professor and HoD, Psychiatric Nursing, MCON, gave an overview of the workshop and introduced the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day.

Samir Praharaj, Head, Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Praveen Jain, Assistant Professor, Renjulal, Assistant Professor, MCON, and others were present.

On Monday, MCON observed the awareness programme on suicide prevention through a street play staged by the second year nursing students near Tiger Circle here. Asha Nayak, Assistant Professor, MCON, introduced the theme for this year, “Working together to Prevent Suicide”.

To educate the high-risk group, the youth, a health awareness programme, through a role play by the second year nursing students was also conducted at Manipal Junior College (MJC) on Monday.

A total of 165 pre-university students along with their teachers attended this programme. Umapathi, lecturer, MJC, and Flavia Noronha, lecturer, MCON, were present.

Courtesy:The hindu