Report on the Workshop“SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT & PREVENTION”

The Department of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Social Work, in association with Psychiatry4uConnect and the Department of Psychiatry, JSS Hospital, Mysuru, organised a workshop on the topic “Suicide Risk, Assessment, and Prevention.” The workshop began with a keynote address by Rev. Dr. Lourdu Prasad Joseph, Rector, who emphasised that suicide is a serious issue, particularly among the youth, and needs to be addressed with urgency and care.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr. Ravi J. D. Saldanha, Principal; Fr. Gnana Pragasam, Campus Administrator; Fr. David Sagayaraj, Assistant to the Rector; and Dr. Noor Mubasheer C. A., PG Coordinator and Head of the Department of Social Work. Faculty members from the Department of Social Work,the Departments of Criminology and Forensic Science and Psychology were also present. A total of 61 student participants from various departments took part in the workshop.

The first speaker, Dr. Pradeep Kumar P. C., introduced the topic of suicide, discussing its relevance in the fields of social work and psychology. He stressed the importance of understanding suicide risk and the need for social workers to be well-equipped with the appropriate knowledge and training in assessment and prevention strategies.

Following this, Dr. Shivananda Manohar delivered a session focused on the causes and contributing factors of suicide, particularly psychological factors. He addressed common myths surrounding suicide and shed light on suicidal ideation among females, providing valuable insights into the mental health challenges faced by this demographic.

In the final session, Dr. Kishor elaborated on various suicide risk assessment tools and prevention strategies. He discussed the legal framework surrounding mental health, particularly the Mental Healthcare Act, and illustrated these concepts through a case study involving two individuals with different psychological backgrounds. Participants were given hands-on experience using the SAFL app to assess mental health status. Additionally, resources persons addressed participants’ queries about online games, scams, and mobile applications that may contribute to suicidal tendencies. they also covered the topic of postpartum stress and its link to suicide, offering practical strategies for prevention.

The workshop was smoothly conducted with Kajol P. George, an MSW student, serving as the MC. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ajith Thankachan. Ganashree P. N., and Nandana K. S. introduced the resource persons, Sara Angelshared her feedback, expressing appreciation for the knowledge and insights gained during the sessions. The workshop was a valuable initiative aimed at raising awareness and building capacity among students and professionals in addressing suicide risk and promoting mental well-being.

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