The WHO estimates that over 800,000 people die by suicide each year in the wrold

Shillong Sept 11: Every year the 10th of September is observed as World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme is ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide.’

The World Health Organization estimates that over 800,000 people die by suicide each year – that is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide occurs globally irrespective of age groups. In India, suicide has become a serious public issue. The most vulnerable and affected age groups in India are between 15 to 29 years of age. Meghalaya is no exception. There is a rise of suicide rates here as well.

What makes this issue even more vulnerable is the stigma that is attached towards it. As a society it is easy to blame the victim, blame the family or the people associated with the victim. At the end of the day, playing the blame game does not help anybody.

We need to understand and educate ourselves on matters (suicide) that we personally may not understand. We need to understand the importance of mental health and we need to understand the importance of each other’s lives.

Dr Maribon Viray,  Head of the Dept of Psychology while speaking about the day said that, “Suicide is a cry of help! It can be prevented. We just need to listen.”

Hence the Department of Psychology of Martin Luther Christian University today organised many awareness programmes in the form of articles,  Radio and  TV appearances and interactive programs in schools where the students of the department have been posted as interns.

The Department comprising of students, faculty members and well-wishers ended the day by assembling at Khyndai Lad, Police Bazaar and lit candles as a sign of encouraging our community to engage with each other and take responsibility in preventing suicide.

The HoD, Dr. Maribon stressed that this initiative is a plea to everyone to join hands with the University to spread awareness and stop the stigma.

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