World Mental Health Day is observed on 10th October every year, with the objectives of raising awareness of mental health issues and mobilizing efforts in support of better mental health. The theme of this year is “Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention”. Suicide takes a heavy toll on individuals, families and communities worldwide. Every suicide is a tragedy. Suicides among young people account for nearly a third of all suicides globally, and is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year age group. Somebody somewhere in the world dies of suicide every forty seconds. Ninety percent of these individuals have a clinically diagnosable mental illness. Depression and alcohol addiction are major risk factors. Screening and identification of suicide risk in healthcare settings is important because many people visit healthcare settings in the months prior to completed suicide and current evidence suggests that many suicides due to a diagnosable mental disorder are preventable. Suicide prevention is too often a low priority for governments and policy-makers. There is hope as suicide is preventable. ‘Forty seconds of action’ help to raise awareness of the scale of suicide around the world and that each of us can play to help prevent it.

The details of the events are as follows:
Kasturba Hospital, Manipal
Various programs were organized at Psychiatry ward on 10th October 2019. Dr. Ravindra Munoli Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal was the Chief Guest for the official program. He addressed the patients and caregivers and explained the significance of observing world mental health day and introduced the theme. Mrs. Savitha, Assistant Professor, MCON, Manipal conducted a session on suicide prevention among mentally ill. Undergraduate and postgraduate students of Manipal college of Nursing Manipal conducted games for patients and prizes were distributed to the winners.

Health talk in Radio 90.4 FM
Health talk on awareness on Suicide: causes, warning signs, myths & facts and prevention was broadcasted on 10.10.2019 at 5.15 pm on Radio FM 90.4. The talk was delivered by Mrs. Asha K Nayak and Mrs. Savitha, faculty of Psychiatric (Mental Health) Nursing, MCON, Manipal.
Primary Health Center, Kandlur, Kundapura
Health awareness program on promotion of mental health and prevention of suicide was conducted on 14.10.2019 for rural population of Kandlur Panchayat. Dr. Latha, Medial Officer, Kandlur PHC presided over the program. She informed the gathering to make use of mental health facilities available at PHC. Mr. Praveen A, Lecturer, KMC, Manipal explained about the theme of World Mental Health day. Mrs. Savitha, Assistant Professor, MCON, Manipal briefed on suicide prevention.
Role play on suicide prevention was enacted by 3rd year BSc Nursing students of MCON, Manipal which was well appreciated by the group.