PESHAWAR: Khyber Medical University (KMU) organised an awareness seminar on World Suicide Prevention Day in Peshawar on Monday, where speakers emphasised the importance of raising awareness about mental health.
The seminar, hosted by the Institute of Public Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences (IPMH&BS), was attended by numerous students, faculty members, and mental health professionals. The speakers discussed the causes of suicide, prevention strategies, and the promotion of mental health.
Dr. Amir Aziz, a consultant psychiatrist and the chief guest, highlighted that suicide can be prevented through public awareness and timely intervention. He pointed out that traditional healers could play a vital role by referring individuals at risk of suicide to professional psychiatrists promptly, potentially saving lives.
Muhammad Arshad Khan, the KMU Director of Admissions, noted that stress and anxiety are on the rise, with the younger generation facing significant challenges. He emphasised the urgent need for more psychiatrists and mental health specialists in the country to provide quality mental health services to the public.
Read also: IJT-KP opposes govt’ proposed plan to outsource govt schools
In her concluding remarks, Huma Kanwal Atta, Head of the Department of IPMH&BS and a clinical psychologist, stressed the importance of openly discussing the sensitive issue of suicide at the community level to break the associated stigma. She encouraged students to become ambassadors and leaders for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. “If everyone plays their part in raising awareness, we can reduce mental health issues and prevent tragic incidents of suicide,” she said.
