DIMAPUR — District Mental Health Programme, Peren, observed ‘World Suicide Prevention Week’ at Peren Government College on Thursday on the theme “Creating hope through action.”
An update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Peren, stated that Sunepienla, psychiatric social worker at DMHP, Peren, spoke on suicide prevention and awareness. She highlighted that “Suicide is not about a person wanting to die but rather about not wanting to live.”
She also sensitised about the stigma related to suicide, which needs to be discussed openly and create awareness, of the myths and stigmas of suicide. She also encouraged the students to make their institution a place of hope and live by helping one another by being a support system.
Neilasenuo, psychologist, shared about the importance of mental health. She also highlighted Tele-manas and its services.
In another programme, District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), Kohima, observed ‘World Suicide Prevention Week’ at Mount Olive College, Kohima.
It stated that Veronica Nriame, psychiatric social worker at DMHP, NHAK, spoke on the significance of the event and informed that approximately 130,000 suicides take place in India annually according to NCRB.
She noted that suicide prevention week aims to start the conversation about suicide, reducing stigma and raising awareness to prevent suicide across the globe. She also spoke on suicide, myths, and warning signs of suicidal behaviour, its risks and protective factors.
Dr. Rupert Peseyie, NMHP state programme officer, highlighted tele-MANAS stating that the latter is the digital arm of DMHP, which emphasises affordable, accessible and timely mental healthcare through a tele-mental health network support system.
Dr. Longna, psychiatry and assistant professor at Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), shared insights through his clinical experiences about the subject matter and the theme. He affirmed that with proper interventions suicides are preventable.
An approximate 400 students attended the programme.
In a related programme, District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), Wokha, commemorated ‘World Suicide Prevention Week’ at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Wokha, on September 13.
Resource person and clinical psychologist at DMHP, Wokha, Amenla Longkumer, explained the term suicide and the factors contributing to suicidal risk. She mentioned that ‘Suicide Prevention Week ‘is an opportunity to shed light on suicide, and the stigma attached to it and send a message of hope that suicide is preventable.
Speaking on the theme ‘Creating hope through action,’ she stated that one’s actions could provide hope to those with suicidal tendencies. In conclusion, she reminded that suicide prevention is a public health priority and more measures are required to reduce the suicide mortality rate.
Lireni Tungoe, psychiatric nurse at DMHP Wokha, spoke on the importance of mental health, stigma, risk factors of mental illness etc. She informed the students about Tele-Manas, its objectives and the services available under it. She explained that tele-Manas is a toll-free number that provides assistance to people struggling with mental health by professionals.
Nrithung Lotha, psychiatric social worker at DMHP Wokha, took a session on the stigma attached to suicide.
Also read: CRIMHSC addresses mental health stigma on World Suicide Prevention Day
