Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: This pledge hopes to empower students and prevent suicides

As part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the society has introduced a simple yet powerful pledge for school students to affirm during their morning assemblies.

Speaking to South First, Dr Jamuna Rajeswaran, President of CPSI and Head of Department of Neuropsychology at NIMHANS, says, “In an increasingly complex world, where the pressures and challenges of life seem to be growing by the day, it is more critical than ever to address the well-being of our children.”

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Learn the pledge!

“The pledge is designed to empower children with the tools and mindset needed to navigate life’s ups and downs,” says Dr Rajeswaran. She adds that CPSI wants to reach as many schools in the country as possible and ask children to take this oath.

The pledge goes as follows:

I promise to be a good friend to myself.

I’ll be kind and gentle when I feel down.

I’ll talk to someone I trust if I need help.

I’ll ask for help from a grown-up if things are too hard.

I’ll be nice to myself every day.

I’ll remember that life is special.

These words encapsulate a commitment to self-compassion, seeking support when necessary, and nurturing a positive self-image. It is a promise to cherish life and one’s own well-being, explains Dr Rajeswaran.

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‘Mental health should be part of curriculum’

Dr Ashwini NV, Director of Muktha Foundation and a renowned counsellor, offers her insights on this initiative.

She points out that while an oath of this nature is indeed a step in the right direction, it should not be a one-time event restricted to Suicide Prevention Day or only for the month. “Instead, the pledge should serve as a catalyst for continuous self-motivation and self-empowerment throughout the year,” she says.

Dr Ashwini suggests that the main purpose of affirmations, like this pledge, is to encourage individuals to engage in intentional, positive, and motivating self-talk. Rather than relegating this practice to a specific day, schools should incorporate it into their daily routines. “This way, students can consistently reinforce these positive thought-patterns, thereby building resilience against the challenges they encounter,” she says.

Dr Ashwini emphasises the need for a more holistic approach to mental health education in schools. “Mental well-being should not be an isolated event but an integral part of the curriculum. Encouraging students to affirm similar self-motivating statements regularly can foster a culture of self-care and mental resilience,” she adds.

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Promote the importance of mental health

Doctors explain that among younger children, suicide attempts are often impulsive. They may be associated with feelings of sadness, confusion, anger, or problems with attention and hyperactivity.

Meanwhile, among teenagers, it could be associated with feelings of stress, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, disappointment, loss of emotional connect with families, addiction to video games, drugs, and alcohol. Suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems.

Experts suggest that if schools encourage mental health as part of their curriculum, then it is a significant step toward creating a nurturing environment where students are not only aware of the importance of their mental health but actively engage in practices that promote it.

“In doing so, we can hope to see a reduction in child suicides and an increase in the overall happiness and well-being of our youth,” states Dr Ashwini.

(Tele-Mental Health and Neuroscience (Tele-MANAS) is now available in all states. For mental health support or if you’re struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the toll-free number 14416.)