Patna Women’s College Hosts Workshop on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness

Chirag Gupta

Patna: The Department of Psychology at Patna Women’s College, Patna University, organized an online workshop titled “Changing the Narrative on Suicide: Awareness, Action, and Support” under its ‘PWC Alumni Connect’ initiative. The event was held in Carmel Hall, Main Building, starting at 9:30 AM.

The session was led by Farheen Rashid, an Intervention Specialist with the Canadian Mental Health Association in Ontario and an alumna of the college’s Department of Psychology. She discussed various factors contributing to suicide, including cultural beliefs, mental health stigma, and the portrayal of suicide in the media.

Head of the Department of Psychology, Nupur Sinha, moderated the workshop, which began with a silent prayer to honor victims of suicide and those affected by suicidal ideation. Rashid introduced the ALGEE model, a five-step action plan for providing mental health first aid to those at risk, while emphasizing the importance of recognizing early warning signs.

Participants actively engaged with the topics, practicing intervention strategies and discussing ways to address the stigma surrounding mental health. The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks, reinforcing the need for continuous awareness and support in preventing suicide.