A Proactive Approach to Suicide Prevention
Dr Chetna Sabharwal
Director @SkillsReform | Building Partnerships @Association of Indian Principals | Empowering India's Education Ecosystem | Edtech Changemaker
It's heartbreaking to hear about a talented young mind who died by suicide for unknown reasons. The growing number of suicides among the youth in India is a pressing issue. We must acknowledge that mental illness is a genuine concern affecting most of us that can't be solved overnight. It is a complex problem that requires continuous support, understanding, and patience.
We must recognize that mental health is an integral part of our overall health and well-being. We need to understand that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and resilience.
Suicide is one of the major concerns in the higher education sector, and universities and colleges need to take steps to identify and prevent suicides. Here are some strategies that can help:
??Community Education: Create awareness about suicide prevention, mental health, and resources available to students, staff, and faculty. Educate everyone on how to identify warning signs, how to initiate a conversation about suicide, and how to report concerns. A module on Social Emotional Intelligence must be introduced as a part of the curriculum for every course in the first year itself.
??Mental Health Services: Universities and colleges should provide comprehensive counseling and mental health services that include timely interventions for students at risk for suicide. The institution should train its staff to recognize early signs of anxiety or depression and provide support. The anonymous reporting through the suggestion box works well when the students are uncomfortable talking about it.
??Screening: Conduct formal or informal screening programs to identify students, staff, and faculty members who may be at risk for suicide. These screenings should be confidential, and any issues identified should be addressed by appropriate support teams.?
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??Peer Support Programs: Utilize peer-to-peer support groups, hotlines, or chat services as part of the institution’s mental health and suicide prevention services. It can help students get support from their peers facing similar challenges.
??Physical well-being: Encourage exercise and good nutrition to help students manage stress and anxiety. Playing a sport or regular participation in any co-curricular activity keeps them engaged and, the authorities can think of adding credits to it.?
??Crisis Response: Establishing plans to address suicide crises on campus which should involve the institution’s administrators, counselors, university police, medical staff, and community resources.
??Policies and Protocols: Review, develop and implement policies and protocols that address mental health, suicide prevention, and response procedures in higher education institutions. Clearly outline procedures for identifying, supporting, and referring students and faculty who may be at risk of suicide.
Let's work together to create a safer and more welcoming campus environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Encourage open and honest conversations about mental health and work towards creating a better future for all because they are walking amongst us.
CEO & Founder at Farm for Full Potential LLP, Director at Gi4QC forum, Past President IIT Roorkee AA, Noida
1 年Very important
School Principal | IB educator | Certified change driver
1 年Your article is timely and so relevant Chetna , yet we loose our young people everyday somewhere on this earth. We are unaware that many of our young students are lonely, already alienated and suffer from mental agony all by themselves. The number is growing and is alarming. As an educator it leaves me unsettled and deeply disturbed. Unless and until wellbeing and mental health is given priority in both schools and colleges I am not sure if we can avert suicides. Earnest dialogues with a practice of deep listening should be practiced. This may act as safety net and uplift the spirit . Archaic rules, protocols, busy schedules , delays to act does not work with red flags looming large. Re structuring the higher education policies and practices should be looked at with depth and concern.