Central University of Tamil Nadu’s Observes World Suicide Prevention Awareness Week

Thiruvarur:  The Department of Applied Psychology at the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) marked its commitment to mental health awareness by observing the World Suicide Prevention Awareness Week from 11th to 15th September 2023. This week-long event aimed at raising awareness about suicide prevention and mental health issues featured a range of impactful activities and initiatives.
The highlight of the awareness week was a Signature Campaign, where more than 2000 signatures were collected from individuals showing their solidarity creating awareness regarding suicide prevention and mental well-being. In an effort to provide tangible support, the Department of Psychology initiated ‘Espoir,’ a Peer Counselling Training Programme. The primary focus of this training was to equip participants, essentially scholars and students of CUTN with essential counselling skills, enabling them to offer peer support for individuals dealing with mental health challenges and self-harm concerns.
Expanding their outreach, the department organized a Mental Health Awareness Program named “Arivoli” for school students in classes 10 to 12. This program reached out to students from CUTN Kendriya Vidhyalaya, Trinity School Thiruvarur, and Government Boys Higher Secondary School Nanilam, emphasizing the importance of mental health in academic settings.
To further extend their reach and provide valuable information, the Department of Applied Psychology released an e-Pamphlet on ‘Suicide Prevention.’ This digital resource was circulated to the academic community via social media and email, offering comprehensive information on warning signs, risk factors, protective factors, myths, and misconceptions surrounding suicide. Importantly, it included helpline numbers to assist individuals in emergency situations. Dr. V. Vithya, Head, Department of Applied Psychology and Dr. Mamman Joseph Associate Professor, along with their dedicated team, have ensured that the Department of Applied Psychology remains at the forefront of mental health advocacy.
The week-long awareness campaign culminated in a Valedictory Event held at CUTN, featuring Professor M. Krishnan, Vice-Chancellor of CUTN, as the Chief Guest, and Professor R. Thirumurugan, Registrar, who graced the ceremony with their presence. During the event, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. M. Krishnan delivered a speech emphasizing the significance joint family, cultivating a home library, engaging in reading and listening to elders, focusing on a nutritious diet, and making discerning choices in online content consumption. He urged faculty and students alike to strive for peace and harmony through higher education. This event served as a platform to celebrate the collective efforts of the CUTN community in promoting awareness regarding mental health and suicide prevention.