BHU to organise week-long campaign on suicide prevention; aims to challenge stigma, spread awareness

NEW DELHI: The Banaras Hindu University will be organising a week-long campaign ahead of Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10, 2024. Starting from September 4, the BHU suicide prevention campaign aims to engage students at various levels to raise awareness and encourage help-seeking behavior and overall well-being.

As per the BHU official press release, the campaign will engage students from the main campus, the South Campus at Barkachha, and university schools. It is being led by the dean of students and coordinated by the associate dean of students (student development) and the student counsellor, with input from SRK fellows.

BHU Suicide Prevention Campaign: Activities and theme

The campaign will feature a range of activities such as poster-making, open mic sessions, slogan writing, an interactive talk, a play, and other events designed to raise awareness. These activities align with this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme, "Changing the Narrative on Suicide - Start the Conversation." This theme underscores the need to reduce stigma and promote open dialogue to prevent suicides, advocating for a shift from silence and stigma to openness, understanding, and support.

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BHU suicide prevention campaign schedule

The BHU suicide prevention campaign schedule is given below:

Day 1: September 4

Activity: pledge activity

Theme: Suicide prevention

Day 2: September 5

Event: Poster making

Theme: "जीवन अनमोल है"

Day 3: September 6

Event: Open mic

Theme: Help seeking behaviour

Day 4: September 7

Events: Slogan writing

Theme: Suicide prevention

Interactive Talk on "Self-care and promoting help seeking behavior"

Day 5: September 8

Event: The awareness quest

Theme: Suicide prevention

Day 6: September 9

Event: Nukkad natak

Theme: "खुद से है उम्मीद, जीने की है ज़िद!"

Day 7: September 10

Events: Silent Walk: "Steps of Healing"

Sticky notes with positive messages: "The gratitude gallery"

Lighting lamp: "Ray of Hope"

The BHU press release stated that the campaign underscores the university's commitment to raising awareness about mental health, available resources, and the importance of seeking help. As per BHU, the initiative aims to challenge and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide, encouraging individuals to seek support without fear of judgment.