‘Community Connect’ by NIMHANS at Lalbagh sparks dialogue on suicide prevention

As part of World Suicide Prevention Month, NIMHANS, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, hosted its ‘Community Connect’ initiative at Lalbagh Botanical Garden. The session, themed “Choose Life, Choose Hope – Let’s Talk About Suicide Prevention,” engaged around 55 participants in candid conversations on mental health, resilience, and support systems.

The event began with an interactive ice-breaker where participants sang “Give Me Some Sunshine” and expressed their thoughts through drawings, creating a reflective and safe environment. Led by Prabha S. Chandra, senior professor of Psychiatry at NIMHANS, the session focused on dispelling myths about suicide, promoting empathetic listening, and encouraging help-seeking, noting that suicide attempts are no longer a crime in India.

Dr. Chandra highlighted the critical role of family, friends, and peer networks, urging participants to identify 10 individuals to stay connected with and to act as “3 a.m. friends” for those in distress. She also addressed the dual impact of social media, both as a trigger and a tool for awareness, and underscored the importance of open communication, grounding practices, and small gestures that can be life-saving.

Participants shared personal experiences, reinforcing the need for community support. The session concluded with the distribution of informational materials, positive affirmation postcards, and the Tele-MANAS helpline (14416), followed by a motivational group song.