International Students Lead the dialogue in Observance of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10
Rajkot (Gujarat), September 10, 2024: Suicide is a major public health challenge, with more than 700, 000 deaths each year globally. Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional, and economic consequences, and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide. Addressing this critical concern on World Suicide Prevention Day observed every year on September 10, Marwadi University based in Rajkot, Gujarat, organised a panel discussion on the subject, ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’, in collaboration with its Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Law. The event featured international student from the university who participated in the discussion share insights, experiences, and solutions on tackling the issue of suicide.
The panel discussion, under the theme, ‘Start the Conversation: By the Students, For the Students’, focused on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging students to speak openly about the pressures they face. The event brought a global perspective to mental health advocacy.
Mr Dhruv Marwadi, Trustee, Marwadi University, said, “At Marwadi University, we are committed to building a safe and conducive environment for our students, where they feel safe, supported, and empowered to talk about the challenges they face. By organising such events, we aim to break the silence and destigmatize conversations surrounding mental wellness. It is heartening to see our international student leaders taking charge of this crucial issue and initiating a dialogue to help build a more compassionate community.”
One of the speakers, Asiimwe Moses from Uganda, a 9th Semester Law Student at Marwadi University and a graduate teacher from Makerere University, Kampala talked about the importance of community support and open dialogue in preventing suicide.
Another student from Uganda, Okwaput Israel who is also an emerging criminal lawyer shared his experiences of providing mental health guidance to peers.
A fourth year law student from Nigeria, Godwin Goodhead, discussed the role of legal frameworks in supporting mental health initiatives.
Tinefeh Michael Junior Che from Cameroon, a final-year pharmacy student who comes with a background in mental wellness, shared his journey of combining biochemistry and fitness to promote a balanced lifestyle.
Samuel Kamar Omeiza from Nigeria, a poet and writer, spoke about using art and literature as tools for mental health awareness
Elizabeth Elias from Tanzania, a member of the Global Suicide Prevention Squad (GSPS), emphasised on the importance of large-scale training and intervention programs in suicide prevention.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where students were encouraged to voice their concerns, share their personal stories, and talk about strategies to maintain their mental health well.
Time and again, Marwadi University undertakes initiatives to educate students about mental health, do away with taboos around it and provide students with a safe space to talk and address their issues.
