Tata Main Hospital celebrates World Suicide Prevention Day through events and expert lectures

Jamshedpur, 10 September 2024: The Department of Psychiatry at Tata Main Hospital (TMH) Jamshedpur, in collaboration with Manipal Tata Medical College (MTMC), marked World Suicide Prevention Day with a series of impactful events aimed at raising awareness and promoting mental health.

Highlight of the Day: Expert Lecture by Dr. Varun Mehta

The centerpiece of the day’s events was a guest lecture titled “Changing the Landscape on Suicide” delivered by Dr. Varun Mehta, Professor of Psychiatry at the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi. The lecture was attended by a diverse audience, including doctors, nurses, medical students, and Tata Steel employees. Dr. Mehta’s insights into suicide prevention strategies and mental health care were well-received and sparked meaningful discussions among attendees.

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Chief Guest and Special Guest Emphasize Mental Health

Chanakya Choudhary, Vice President of Corporate Services at Tata Steel, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his address, he emphasized the importance of work-life balance and effective time management in mitigating stress. Tata Workers Union President Sanjeev Kumar Choudhary, who attended as the Special Guest, highlighted the crucial role of family support in helping individuals navigate stressful situations.

Week-Long Initiatives Leading Up to the Main Event

In the lead-up to World Suicide Prevention Day, TMH organized several initiatives to engage different segments of the community:

• Session on Emotional Health for Transperson Employees: Held on September 6, this session was attended by 70 transperson employees of Tata Steel. It focused on the unique emotional health challenges faced by the transperson community and provided strategies for coping and support.
• Session on Emotional Safety of Adolescents: Conducted on September 8, this session was attended by 130 parents. It aimed to educate parents on the emotional safety of adolescents, equipping them with tools to support their children through challenging times.

Competitions and Cultural Programs

The event also featured a prize distribution ceremony for the winners of various competitions:

• Poster and Essay Writing Competitions: Open to school students from classes 8-12, these competitions saw participation from over 30 schools in Jamshedpur.
• Poster and Reel-Making Competitions: Targeted at MBBS (MTMC) and nursing students, these competitions encouraged creative expression on the theme of mental health and suicide prevention.

The day concluded with a poignant play presented by MBBS students, which highlighted the importance of mental health awareness and support.

Coordination and Dignitaries

The program was coordinated by Dr. Manoj Kumar Sahu, Head of the Department of Psychiatry at TMH. Other dignitaries present included Dr. Sudhir Rai, General Manager of Medical Services at Tata Steel, Dr. G Pradeep Kumar, Dean of MTMC, Dr. Mamta Rath Dutta, Chief Consultant and Head of Department of Medical Support Services, and TWU Vice President Shailesh Kumar Singh.

Report by: Jaswinder Singh & Prem Srivastav