Psychiatry Dept of KMC Hospital Observes World Mental Health Day
Mangaluru: The department of Psychiatry observed the World Mental Health Day at the Sanjeevini Hall, KMC Attavar here on October 10.
The programme began with an invocation by the students of MSc Clinical Psychology. HOD of Psychiatry KMC Hospital Attavar, Dr Keshav Pai welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by watering the plant by Associate Dean KMC Mangaluru Dr Unnikrishnan along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Addressing the gathering Dr Unnikrishnan said, “Believe it or not, in our country the suicide rate is very high and we find it in the economically healthy state. According to the WHO every year 8 lakh people commit suicide. We hear more people committing suicide in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharastra which are economically healthy states. If you find any of your near and dear ones who are in distress or have suicidal tendencies, don’t judge them but help them to come out from their stress. Those who are in stress and have suicidal tendencies seek help silently. Suicide is preventable if we educate the teachers and parents. Suicide was a crime till 2017 but it is not a crime now since section 309 of IPC has been scrapped. Teachers and parents should be educated on the prevention of suicide as teachers are with the students for 6 to 8 hours in schools or colleges. Those who commit suicide succeed only after trying several times to end their life”.
Dr Unnikrishanan distributed prizes to the winners of the video-making competition.
Consultant Department of Psychiatry KMC Mangaluru Dr Krithishree delivered the keynote address and said, “Mental health is a state of well being which the person realizes his/her own potential by leading a normal life and contributing to the community. People misunderstand the myths attached to suicide and say that it is done to seek attention. We need to spend some time with the person who attempts suicide but we don’t have the time. In spite of all these problems a landmark event took place on March 10, 2017, the Supreme court decriminalized section 309 of IPC. Section 309 of IPC says that whoever attempts suicide and does any act towards the commission of such offence shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term of one year”.
Dr Krithishree further said, “After the landmark changes, the nurses came forward to help the victims and also inform the psychiatrist. Suicide is not a criminal offense but homicide is a criminal offense. Depression is the key factor for a person to commit suicide. Sometimes psychiatric disorders or substance abuse is also a cause for committing suicide. Recently we heard an entrepreneur committing suicide by jumping from the Netravati bridge. We can prevent suicide by spreading awareness. Earlier there weren’t many psychiatrists in the city but now we have more than 50 psychiatrists in the city and anyone who needs help they can come to us. We are always ready to help them”.
Nursing Superintendent KMC Hospital Attavar Gracy Lobo delivered the presidential address. Dr Preema D’Souza delivered the vote of thanks. Ms Shruti Ranjan Kappil delivered a talk on Crisis Intervention.