Faced with a rise in the number of suicides, especially among the youth in the Union Territory, the Puducherry police on Tuesday organised an anti-suicide awareness campaign at a private college here.
The event was held to motivate students into shedding suicidal thoughts and to provide counselling support to those facing depression.
Speaking at the event hosted at Idhaya College of Arts and Science, Rahul Alwal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Karaikal, explained how students could keep themselves happy by overcoming depression.
Students should also take steps to spread happiness among their family members and neighbours and create awareness against suicidal tendency, he said.
They should also take the message to their families, friends and neighbours and advise them not to take the extreme step for any reason.
Mr. Alwal said that suicidal thoughts occur in people of all age groups and social strata at some point of time. However, communication gives them a chance to open up thereby preventing suicides. The awareness campaign is aimed at making the individual realise it and help them overcome the situation.
The police will be conducting similar awareness programmes in colleges in the Karaikal region also to campaign among the students against suicidal tendency, he said. The police also conducted a self-defence programme to motivate students and help them develop self-esteem and confidence. Superintendent of Police (North), Rachna Singh, demonstrated to the students how they could defend themselves when faced with adverse situations. The students were also sensitised on reaching out for help in case of discomfort and abuse. Mr. Alwal said that the contact number of the Station House Officer was also shared with the students to help them in any distress situation.