World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 carrying the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” was today observed at a programme held at Khliehriat West Community Hall, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District.
Organized by the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), East Jaintia Hills District, the programme was attended by District Malaria Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Dr C.S Bareh, Medical & Health Officer in-charge, Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre, Khliehriat, Dr. J. Nongtdu, Additional Public Prosecutor (Panel Lawyer), District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District, Smti. Melody War, District Programme Manager (DPM), National Health Mission (NHM), East Jaintia Hills District, Shri A. Dhar, District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) Psychiatric Social Worker, Civil Hospital, Khliehriat, Smti. Thaiwan Kyndiah, other officials from the office of District Medical & Health Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, teachers, students and others.
The programme featured with an informative discussion on topics including risk factors that leads to suicide, causes which leads a person to have mental health issues, signs and symptoms of mental illness, causes which lead drug addicts to commit suicide, preventive measures, laws which protect mentally ill persons, etc.
During the discussion, District Malaria Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Dr C.S. Bareh spoke at length on the different types of mental health disorders which can lead a person to commit suicide even as he stated that mentally ill persons may also have the tendency to commit suicide and stressed on the importance of recognizing several warning signs in a person in order to prevent suicide.
Further, he advised the students present at the programme to always share their problems and sufferings to elders as sharing is one of the relief medicines which can put an individual’s mind at ease and also informed them on the ways to care and treat mental disorders through Psychiatric Care and Medication, Counselling, etc available through the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP).
Meanwhile, Medical & Health Officer in-charge Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre, Khliehriat, Dr. J. Nongtdu highlighted the several reasons in which drug addicted persons may commit suicide including emotional instability, betrayal, relationship problems and withdrawal symptoms which is one of the major causes which push drug addicts to take their own lives.
Furthermore, he also emphasized to the students that through different problems and challenges they face in their lives, drugs and alcohol have never been a solution to those problems even as he informed them about the devastating impacts drugs have on individuals including mental health, studies and overall well-being.
Additional Public Prosecutor (Panel Lawyer), District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Jaintia Hills District, Smti. Melody War enlightened the gathering on Mental Health Care Act 2017 and its provisions for mental retardation and intellectual disability and underscored that family’s ignorance may also lead mental illness patients to commit suicide even as she further stressed on the role of awareness programme and individual courage to address mental illness in suicide prevention.
Smti. War also highlighted the role of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in providing support to mental health patients, including free legal advice and assistance.
After the programme as a sign to mark the observation and to generate public awareness on the importance of addressing mental health issues, etc, a public rally was held in localities of Khliehriat. The rally started from Khliehriat West Community Hall, Khliehriat to Khliehriat East Futsal Ground and back to Khliehriat West Community Hall, Khliehriat.
