“Creating Hope through Action”
Suicide is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. It is estimated that there are currently more than 700 000 suicides per year worldwide, and we know that each suicide profoundly affects many more people. Suicides are increasing in the youth population.
“Creating Hope through Action” is the triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021-2023. This theme serves as a powerful call to action and reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention.
By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope, we care and want to support them. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. It serves as a reminder that suicide prevention is a public health priority and urgent action is required to make sure suicide mortality rates are reduced.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on KCG Tech Campus every year to create an awareness amongst the students and the public. In the presence of our Principal Dr M Muthukannan, our KCG Dance Club students did the awareness campaign on 7th& 8th September, 2023 during the lunch hour in the Gallery through songs, mimes and dance and was witnessed by our staff and students. The program created an awareness amongst staff and students, which will be in turn disseminated to their family, near and dear ones, which will again be a ripple effect on the public too.
Our KCG students participated in a 3 kms a walkathon organized and conducted by SNEHA a Suicide Prevention NGO from Olcott Memorial School, Besant Nagar, Chennai to and fro on 10th September, 2023. The walkathon was flagged off by Mr Siddarth, Actor. KCG Tech students presented dance and mime in front of the general public @ Olcott Memorial School, Besant Nagar, Chennai and Dr J Radhakrishnan, Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, the Chief Guest for the day. He appreciated the mime and dance team performance. The walkathon, mime and dance created an awareness on suicide prevention, creating hope through action and to take help.
Pamphlets were distributed to the general public by KCG Tech students on suicide warning signs, how to offer help, take help and suicide crisis helplines.
Tamil Nadu Helplines:
Tamil Nadu Mental Health Helpline: 104 (24/7)
SNEHA India Foundation: (all days of the week)
044-24640050/60 8.00 am – 10.00 pm
Chat Services: 7.00 pm – 1.00 am
Email: help@snehaindia.org
“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”
MENTAL HEALTH IS AS PHYSICAL HEALTH AND A NEED OF THE HOUR
World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for people and communities to unite, to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.The theme for 2023, is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Yet all over the world, people with mental health conditions continue to experience a wide range of human rights violation. Many are excluded from community life and discriminated against, while many more cannot access the mental health care they need or can only access care that violates their human rights.
Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people. Every year KCG Techobserves World Mental Health Day on 10th October on the campus to raise awareness.
Dr SujathaVelmurugan, Consultant Psychiatrist – Kauvery Hospital & Geri Care Hospital, the Chief Guest for the day addressed KCG Youth on “Youth Mental Health”. She spoke about stress management, media influence, societal pressure andrecent suicides amongst youth population. She also said that “suicide is not a courageous act but a cry for help and it’s okay to ask someone “Are you Okay?”, when you find someone is not okay”. She spoke about QPR in suicide as question when someone is not okay, persuade to take help and refer for help. She also tipped that art forms and physical activities take care of mental health.
Mr BennetManoharan, Hospitality Professional, Nutrition& Dietetics Consultantspoke about the diet for “Youth Mental Health and Happiness”. He spoke aboutsattvik, rajasik and tamasik food and food which suits for different age groups and their occupation. He also said that current youth generation lack physical activities and it’s better to take lighter food which helps to maintain their mental and physical health.
Poster making and Blog Writing competitions were conducted for students and prizes were distributed.
The program raised an awareness amongst students and lefta message that, “It is OKAY to take help when I am not OKAY”.
KCG Tech always supports and ensures to raise awareness on Mental Health amongst its students and public every year.
