Events

10 Sep 2013|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida

Amity Institute of Psychology & Allied Sciences and Amity Institute of Behavioural Health & Allied Sciences observes World Suicide Prevention Day

Students of Amity Institute of Psychology & Allied Sciences and Amity Institute of Behavioural Health & Allied Sciences organized WorldSuicide Prevention Day on 10^thSeptember 2013 at C Block Auditorium. The theme of this event was “Stigma: A Major Barrier for Suicide Prevention” as observed by the InternationalAssociation for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization.

The programme started with a presentation onWorld Suicide Prevention Day on the facts and figures of suicide worldwide by astudent of BA (H) Applied Psychology and it was alarming to know there is onedeath by suicide taking place every 40 seconds across the globe.

Prof (Dr) Abha Singh,Director, AIPS and Acting Head, AIBHAS in her opening remarks highlighted thecancerous menace of Suicide which is slowly trying to grip our society. Shefocused on the need to constantly work on preventive measures to curb this menaceand said that “one should be the cause and reason of happiness wherever onegoes”. She quoted the “Happiness Mission” of Founder President Dr. Ashok KChauhan of Amity University emphasizing on the need to uncover the way toauthentic happiness. She stressed on the urgent need for “Mental Health FirstAid” for the community at large.

A live case studyrecording of a suicidal attempt individual was presented to the audiencefollowed by an interactive session that highlighted the need to place faith ina confidante, family and friends whenever there is loss of hope in life .Prof.(Dr.) Singh stressed on the need to create own ways of emotional catharsis forevery individual. She said that we need to get back the “talking culture” intoour families that is lost due to our over indulgence in the cyber world. Dr.Chattopadhayay, Director, Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences who was presentat the occasion commented that the individuals need to have a constant faith anddetermination in their own selves to deal with the turbulences in life toprevent suicide.

Dr. Deepak Mishra,Assistant Professor, AIBHAS, spoke on the topic, “Breaking down Stigmas Vitalto Addressing Suicide Prevention.” He stressed on the importance of catchingthe danger signs that an individual exhibits before committing suicide. He alsoelaborated on the various myths surrounding suicide and the urgency to dispel themin order to save as many lives as possible.

A dance performance bystudents of AIBHAS vividly expressed positive emotions, promoting choice oflife over death. This was followed by and Audio- visual Awareness clipcompetition where in students presented heart wrenching clips of peoplefighting their inner demons and emerging victorious. Students also activelyparticipated in presentation competition on the topic “ 365 Days Mission- Preventivemeasures.” This presentation was based on the basic philosophy that preventionis better than cure and emphasized on the need of the hour for psychology tomove from its curative approach to preventive approach.  The budding professional psychologists ofAIPS and AIBHAS displayed this scientific turn around by providing solutions tosuicide menace.

The students of AIPSpresented a skit titled “ Jeene ki Aasha” which beautifully captured theproblems that youth and adults face in today’s stressful time that can drivethem to suicidal behaviour. Solutions to deal with these trials and tribulationswere also lucidly depicted.

An extemporecompetition were also organised on the theme. The program ended with a selfcomposed song, “ Jeevan ki ek aas” by student of BA(Hons) Applied Psychology ofAIPS and a self composed poem “Socha chalo aaj udh kar dekhen” by student ofMACP of  AIBHAS.

The program conveyed a message that “life is hope” and creating apositive and holistic social structure will enable us to help people experienceauthentic happiness and hope which will enable us to prevent suicide in thesociety.