World Suicide Prevention Day observed at SKIMS Bemina

Srinagar, Sep 10: On the occasion of the World Suicide Prevention Day, a programme with an interactive session was conducted in the auditorium of SKIMS Medical College Bemina.

The event was organised by the Department of Psychiatry with the support of the Department of SPM SKIMS MCH. The programme was conducted in view of the fact that there has been a steady rise of mental health issues especially in the post Covid period

worldwide. Stigma and discrimination has been one of the major barriers for mental health experts for treating such patients which is further complicated by inaccessibility of mental health facilities to certain population groups due to geographical areas with difficult terrain and shortage of manpower.

"The attitudes and beliefs in our society result in discrimination of mentally ill patients making it difficult to express mental health issues with their family, friends and even experts. In the wake of this the severity of mental illnesses increases and if unaddressed may turn into suicidal behavior."

In this context the program was conducted with the theme of “Chaniging the narrative, start the conversation.”

Various speakers who deliberated on the occasion were Prof Ab. Majid Ganai Head Department of Psychiatry, Prof Sajad Ahmed Sheikh Head Department of Ophthalmology, Prof Ajaz Ahmed Rather Registrar Academic and Prof Ashfaq Ahmed Head Department of SPM SKIMS MCH. Dr Nizam-ud-Din Assistant Professor spoke on stress management and along with the psychology team had an interactive session on the subject. The target audience was the students of the medical college. The students discussed the issues troubling them.

There was a unanimous opinion that the stakeholders should follow National Suicide Prevention Strategy in letter and spirit which is based on WHO recommended model.