DLSA trains staff on suicide prevention

Ranchi: The Ranchi District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) has started training its mediators and para-legal volunteers (PLVs) on identifying and responding to individuals who are at the risk of committing suicide. Around 36 persons attended the programme titled ‘Gatekeeper Sensitization Programme for Suicide Prevention’ held at Central Institute Psychiatry (CIP) on Monday. A DLSA authority said more such programmes would be organized in the future to prevent suicides.DLSA secretary Rakesh Ranjan said the PLVs would educate students about suicide prevention through legal literacy clubs. “The PLVs will help identify students who are experiencing tension or depression due to various reasons and counsel them. The complex cases would be referred to specialists,” he said. CIP director Dr Basudeb Das discussed on how one can save lives by knowing the early warning signs and symptoms of the person having suicidal thoughts. He said the sensitization programme will help them identify the situation. Ranjan said the mediators can also counsel the disputing parties who approach the DLSA with their problems. Dr Surjit Prasad of CIP said, “The trained personnel would be able to distinguish between mentally fit and mentally distressed persons.”

Medical officers get psychiatry training to address suicides

The state of Jaipur is facing a shortage of psychiatric specialists, leading the government to provide psychiatric training to medical officers. This program aims to address the need for mental health support in the state, particularly in district hospitals and rural areas. In addition to medical officers, nurses, ASHA workers, and other department workers are also receiving training in psychiatry treatment.

Spreading awareness about suicide prevention at St Joseph Vaz College

St Joseph Vaz College in Cortalim marked World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day by hosting a talk on suicide prevention. The event, organized by the counselling cell and the Red Ribbon Club, featured psychologist Sanya Pereira from COOJ Mental Health Foundation. The discussion addressed the alarming suicide rates in the state and included a role play activity to demonstrate ineffective methods of dealing with individuals with suicidal tendencies.

To empower children, DCPCR launches legal education programme

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) and NGO Sambhavna have launched an initiative called 'Mera Kanoon Mera Dost' to educate students, particularly girls, about major laws such as the Child Marriage Act and Juvenile Justice Act. The initiative aims to create awareness and help children feel more comfortable approaching the police. The first session was held at a girls' school in Badarpur, where the students were educated about the Constitution, legal rights, and the debate surrounding the legal age of child marriage. The initiative also aims to address the fear children have of approaching the police.