Department of Psychology, School of Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) conducted a Suicide Awareness Campaign for high school students on 8 September, 2017 on the occasion of ‘Suicide Prevention Day’ which is observed every year on 10 September.
The final year students and the first year students of M.Sc. Psychology had chosen three schools (My School, National High School, and Mookambika School) for creating awareness on suicide among the high school students
The main objective of the campaign was to create awareness among the students of grade VIII, IX and X as the suicide rate among them have been increasing as per the statistics in Bengaluru.
During the campaign, they explained the difference between physical and mental health and how one can distinguish between the two. The team advised the students to ‘talk it out’ during the times of stress and depression.
They further said that talking about what one is going through to an elderly person or teachers or parents and seeking their suggestions will help them to come out of it and how to calm down themselves during tough times. When the situation is out of control instead of worrying one should try to find out the best possible solution or have a positive attitude towards life without disturbing the current phase of life.
They also explained how stress could be put forth in a productive way or a counterproductive way. Further, the team discussed the preventive measures to be taken which highlighted the importance of identifying individuals with signs of withdrawal or feeling tensed all the time.
At the end of the campaign, they provided posters to each school along with the suicide prevention helpline number which can be put up on the notice board. All the three sessions held at different schools were interactive and addressed the queries of students.
