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“Fortis Healthcare calls for collective efforts towards prevention of suicides”
New Delhi/NCR, September 10, 2018:
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers worldwide, with an unprecedented rise in the reporting of such incidents especially in the recent past. According to recent research evidence, almost 90% of suicidal attempts can be attributed to an untreated mental illness. Given such facts, it is vital to recognize the possibility that suicide is indeed preventable!
The recent Mental Healthcare Act which was passed in 2017 decriminalized suicide, a much-appreciable act which encourages a sensitized approach to mental illnesses. Yes, it is a reality that suicides are now a worldwide concern, and a national loss. We all need to join hands to create a sensitized environment garnering the empathy and support of the general society at large – the role of families, peers, educational institutions, healthcare providers, as well as policy makers and the community at large. Forming a multi-component model for awareness building, preventive strategies as well as training for adequate intervention-based approaches for parents, teachers, as well as students is essential.
“Life is Beautiful”: An Initiative for Suicide Prevention in Schools
As we mark the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September 2018, the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare initiates a month-long series of student workshops on the theme ‘Life is Beautiful’, with the objective of encouraging students to seek a sense of purpose, find joy in everyday life, and build lasting and meaningful relationships. Through this national initiative, it is our endeavour to promote positive mental health and help students mitigate negative influences in their lives across the country. Being based on the tenets of Media Literacy, and Building Relationships, the objective is to encourage the students to learn to connect with people, promote sensitizing, supporting and reaching out, as well as encourage help seeking behaviour.
Dr. Samir Parikh, Director, Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare says, “Creating a sensitized awareness and educating people about the warning signs is the key, as it is the collective societal responsibility to create an empathetic and supportive environment which encourages individuals to both seek help and recognize as well as respond to individuals who might be needing help. An adequate peer support and social network system, family support, school as well as community connectedness could serve as a major factor in lessening the risk of suicides. It is necessary to increase the accessibility and availability of professional experts. A National Helpline Number 8376864102 has been available since 2017, with a team of mental health experts being available 24×7 to help alleviate distress and offer counselling and support, receiving as many as 500 calls per day. It is the need of the hour that we pledge to ensure our own self-care, as well as to create a sensitized environment to help work towards the establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Policy to be implemented across the country”
