Port Blair, Sept 10: Befitting programmes were organized by Andaman College (ANCOL) to observe World Suicide Prevention Day on the theme “Preventing Suicide: Reaching out and Saving Lives” on Thursday. The programmes were organized by ANCOL PSYCH CLUB attached to the Department of Psychology to generate awareness among students and local community about suicide prevention.
In his address, the Principal, ANCOL, Dr R Dev Das said that the act of showing care and concern to someone who may be at risk to suicide can be a life saving attempt. Talking with patience, listening to what they have to say in a non-judgmental way, and letting them know you care, can all have a significant impact on the person being helped. Isolation increases the risk of suicide, and, conversely, having strong social connections is protective against it, so being there for someone who has become disconnected can be life-saving, he said appealing to the students and faculties to take part in the “Light a candle in your window on 10th Sept at 8 PM” to show support for suicide prevention awareness programme.
He also released a Display Magazine for students, special pamphlet compiled by the Psychology department containing Do’s and Don’ts in suicide prevention. A special “Yellow ribbon Lifeline Card” was also released which is a long term program to be carried out by the Department to curb the menace of Suicidal tendency among the Islanders with special focus to youth.
A Nukkad Natak on the theme ‘Suicide prevention is every ones business’ was performed by the students of Psychology Department in the college parking area to create awareness among the students and also to take up the mission of suicide prevention to the populace.
The Head and Faculty, Department of Psychology, Mr Bency Joy welcomed the gathering. He also elaborated the events planned by the Department in creating awareness among the youths of the college and local community. According to the latest statistics released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), rate of suicide in our Islands is much higher compared to the national average.
