A workshop was organized by the Zoology department in Kalindi College, East Patel Nagar New Delhi on the topic of Mental Health Empowerment in Youth.

The team of Psychiatrists and Psychologists – Dr. Paramjeet Singh, Dr. Sugandha Gupta, Mrs. Nikita Jain – from Delhi Mind Clinic delivered lectures and were felicitated at the event.

Mental health in youth is often ignored, despite the research highlighting the alarming prevalence of the same in our country.
Dr. Paramjeet Singh, our Consulting Neuropsychiatrist talked to the enthusiastic students about various myths prevalent in society regarding mental illness, explained briefly symptoms and signs of common mental illness in the youth, and countered the stigma regarding the same.

“Women’s mental health” – the need of the hour.
Dr. Sugandha Gupta, our Director and Senior Psychiatrist talked to the young females on the relevant topic of” gender sensitization”.
The discussion was focused on learning how various gender stereotypes prevalent in our society play a crucial role in imparting a woman’s mental health. The session was interactive and enlightening for female students.

Mrs. Nikita Jain our consulting Psychologist talked to the students about the raging topic today- “Depression and Suicide in the Young.” Depression in younger people is often swept under the carpet by the family and Society. However, untreated depression can have an adverse impact on an individual’s academic, career, relationships, and physical health. The right support at the right time can prevent a tragedy like suicide.

Suicide is defined as an act by which a person intentionally ends his or her own life. Each suicide is a tragedy! As an estimate, close to 8 lakh people die of suicide alone each year. For every person who commits suicide, there are at least 20 as many who attempt but survive.

The Indian data is even more alarming. As per the India State -level research study, 2016; it was found that whereas India contributes only 18% to the global population, the rates for suicide contributed globally are 37% by Indian women and 24% by Indian men. Not only this, majority of this number falls within the age bracket of 15 – 39 years which are the most productive years of any person’s life.

There are many contributers to suicide.

1. Mental health reasons: depression accounts for almost half of all suicides. Besides, substance use, schizophrenia, personality disorders, insomnia, OCD, PTSD and others are also known to increase the risk.
2. Physical health reasons : chronic pain syndromes, prolonged diseases like kidney ailments needing hemodialysis, HIV, cancer and others.
3. Socio-economic reasons: feelings of loss, financial stressors, relationship issues, unemployment amongst many others.

Besides these, a prior history of suicide attempt, a family history of completed suicide also increase the risk manifold.

Despite the alarming numbers, it’s important to note that suicide is a preventable public health problem. So, creating awareness and alleviating stigma can help people in distress seek timely support and recover from their challenges.