Shillong, Sep 10: The Departments of Psychiatry and Community Medicine, NEIGRIHMS, organised a public awareness programme on World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday at the Rural Health and Training Centre, Bhoirymbong, Ri-Bhoi.
Held on the theme ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide,’ the programme aimed to raise awareness on prevention, reduce stigma around mental health, and help participants recognise verbal and behavioural warning signs, understand risk and protective factors and support those at risk.
Resource persons included Senior Resident Psychiatrist Dr. Dazelle Sungoh, Clinical Psychologist Kimberly Syiem and Senior Resident Dr. Teju from Community Medicine. The session was conducted through small group discussions of four to five participants among residents who had come for consultation. A sensitisation session was also held for health centre staff.
The organisers shared resources including TELEMANAS helpline (https://telemanas.mohfw.gov.in) for those facing mental health concerns or self-harm thoughts and said similar community-based programmes will be organised in other parts of the state.
