Jamshedpur: Jeevan observes World Suicide Prevention Day, focus on mental health 

Jamshedpur: On World Suicide Prevention Day, ‘Jeevan’ Suicide Prevention Centre organized a poignant programme at the SNTI auditorium, shining a spotlight on the critical issue of mental health and the importance of providing support to those in need. The event was graced by notable guests and featured insightful discussions, activities, and recognition of efforts to create awareness on mental health.

Sourav Roy, CEO of Tata Steel Foundation and Chief of CSR at Tata Steel Ltd, was the esteemed chief guest for the evening. Joining him was  Keshav Kumar Ranjan, Senior Manager at Tata Steel Foundation, who served as the guest of honour, and Dr. Ms. Pooja Mohanty, Head of Psychotherapy and Counseling Services, who was the guest speaker.

The event kicked off with a soulful welcome song sung by Sangeeta Dubey, one of the judges of the Song competition. Dr. Jeoraj Jain, Director of ‘Jeevan,’ then presented a comprehensive report on the activities carried out by the organization over the past year. He expressed his concern about the recent rise in suicides in Jamshedpur and appealed to the audience to spread awareness about the free and completely confidential emotional support provided by ‘Jeevan’ volunteers.

Dr. Mohanty added an interactive dimension to her session by engaging the audience in a series of mind games. She emphasized how understanding human traits and reactions in different situations can be a powerful tool in providing support to those in distress. Dr. Mohanty also highlighted that one doesn’t need to be a professional counselor to make a difference—sometimes, offering an empathetic listening ear is enough. She awarded prizes to the winners of the Creative Writing Competition organized by ‘Jeevan’ on 2nd September, which revolved around the theme of ‘Teenage Mental Health.’

Sourav Roy commended the remarkable work done by ‘Jeevan’ volunteers. He referred to a survey conducted in 2020, which revealed that many people live their lives in fear of an uncertain future. He stressed the importance of empowerment and encouraged individuals to face any situation with resilience.  Roy presented prizes to the winners of the Song Writing and Singing Competition, which was centered on the theme ‘Create hope through action.’

The winners of these competitions were as follows: Winners of the Song Writing and Singing Competition: 1st: Sant Nandlal Smriti Vidya Mandir, 2nd: JUSCO School South Park, 3rd: Kerala Samajam Model School, Winners of the Creative Writing Competition: 1st: Anushka Kumari (Kerala Public School, Burmamines), 2nd: Apratim De (DBMS English School), 3rd: Tegveer Singh (JUSCO School, South Park), 3rd: Kunal Khemka (DBMS English School), Winners of the Poster Making Competition: 1st: Raj Mardi (Kerala Public School, Burmamines), 2nd: S. Prakash Rao (DBMS Career Academy) 3rd: Amisha Ghosh (Sacred Heart Convent School)

The event recognized the efforts of seven schools that organized rallies to create awareness about the importance of mental health, as per ‘Jeevan’s’ appeal. Additionally, two senior volunteers,  Robin Dutta and  Rajeev Ranjan, were honored for their dedicated service to ‘Jeevan’ over 15 years.