09 Sep 2022
The Department of Psychology at the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences organized a one-day Gatekeepers’ Training for Suicide Prevention on the 9th of September, 2022. The workshop attracted more than 30 students and faculty members under the roof of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Seminar Hall from 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM. The training was held in an attempt to meaningfully observe the World Suicide Prevention Day.
Dr. Ashwini NV, the founder-director of Muktha Foundation, was the resource person. She has an illustrious profile to her credit. She is the curator of ‘Say Yes To Wellness’ project, a gold medalist in her PG, and a counseling psychologist who was recognised as one of the ‘100 leaders under 30’. Ashwini ma’am has conducted over 2000+ training programmes in the field of mental health. Her extensive knowledge and precious experience made her one of the most apt resource persons for the training.
The event started off by first establishing a safe space for all gathered. It then explored the rudiments of gatekeeping and delineated how it differs from the concept of counseling. The trainer informed the learners that the phrase "committed suicide" is frowned upon in the community of psychologists because it harks back to an era when suicide was considered a sin or a crime. With a little deliberation and practice, “committed” can be replaced with “attempted” or “died by suicide”. It indeed was an eye opener for all when students were made to ponder upon the sheer difference a turn of phrase could make.
Then the audience was introduced to the levels of gatekeeping: primordial, primary, secondary and tertiary; followed by the types or patterns of suicide, some of which were: anniversary, imitative, accidental, dutiful, delusional, organic etc. Light was shed upon on the common and uncommon myths enwreathing suicide. The workshop neared its end with a lesson on the dos and don’ts as a gatekeeper. The day-long workshop was replete with jaw-dropping real-life cases, many a moments of hearty laughter, and several instances of radical perspectives on suicide.
Well-aligned with the School’s vision, the workshop equipped the student community with the skills to mitigate the ramifications of something as grievous as suicide and self-harm. Through the session, some learnt a lot while some unlearned what they thought was right. At the end of the day, the doors of the hall opened itself to a new battalion of gatekeepers, armed with the skills of communication, knowledge of warning signs & myths, and powerful insight.
