Wokha district observes Suicide Prevention Week

DIMAPUR — As part of World Suicide Prevention Week, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under District Hospital Wokha organised awareness programmes at Perennial School and Santsuo School in Wokha town on September 10 and 11.

Speaking at the awareness programme on the theme ‘Changing the narrative on suicide’ held at Perennial School, Wokha, Dr. Wothungo Jami, DMHP nodal officer and psychiatrist at DH Wokha, emphasised on suicide and its preventive measures. Citing the National Crime Records Bureau 2021 data, he stated that 13,089 students die by suicide every year in the county.

He also highlighted the risk factors, warning signs and myths and facts about suicide. Dr. Jami further urged the students to be an advocate for suicide prevention and come forward to seek professional help.

Also read: World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 observed across Nagaland

The programme concluded by administering a pledge on suicide prevention to more than 80 students and teachers.

At Santsuo School, the theme speaker was Lireni Tungoe, psychiatric nurse at DMHP, Wokha. She spoke on the myths and facts related to suicide, warning signs of suicides and steps to prevent suicides.

An update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Wokha, stated that in both the awareness programmes, the students and teachers were given customised pen with Tele-manas number.