TMU College of Nursing Organises Guest Lecture on Suicide Prevention Awareness
Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU), Moradabad, through the Department of Mental Health Nursing, Teerthanker Mahaveer College of Nursing (TMCON), organised a guest lecture titled “Suicide Prevention – Changing the Narrative on Suicide” on 20 November 2025. The programme was held at the Smart Classroom, Nursing Building, and marked the observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, to enhance awareness, reduce stigma, and strengthen preventive approaches among future healthcare professionals.
The academic event was conducted from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM and witnessed enthusiastic participation from undergraduate nursing students, postgraduate students, and faculty members of the College of Nursing.
Leadership, Hosts and Dignitaries
The programme was hosted by Mrs Ekjot Kaur, Associate Professor, and Mr Allan Singh, PG Tutor, TMCON, under the guidance of Dr Suman Vashisht, Head, Department of Mental Health Nursing. The event was successfully conducted with the support and leadership of:
- Prof. (Dr.) S. P. Subashini, Dean, College of Nursing
- Prof. (Dr.) Jasline M, Principal, TMCON
- Prof. Ram Niwas, Vice Principal, TMCON
Approximately 175 participants attended the session, including 155 PBBSc Nursing students, 20 MSc Nursing students, and 10 faculty members, reflecting strong academic engagement with mental health education.
Inaugural Session and Key Messages
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Ms Kumari Jyoti, followed by a Lamp Lighting Ceremony performed by the dignitaries. Addressing the gathering, the Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Jasline M formally introduced the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, highlighting the urgent need to replace silence and stigma with understanding, compassion, and open dialogue.
She emphasised that suicide should not be treated as a taboo subject and stressed the importance of open conversations around mental health as a critical step toward prevention. She encouraged students to remain vigilant, empathetic, and supportive of peers who may be struggling, underscoring that small acts of kindness and attentive listening can save lives. The Principal further highlighted the role of educational institutions in creating safe and inclusive environments where students feel confident seeking help without fear of judgment.
The Vice Principal, Prof. Ram Niwas, also addressed the students, motivating them to actively engage in mental health advocacy and to serve as ambassadors of hope within their communities.
Expert Lecture on Suicide Prevention
The guest speaker, Dr Prerana Gupta, MD (Psychiatry), TMU Hospital, was formally introduced by Ms Arti Choudhary and felicitated by Prof. (Dr.) S. P. Subashini, Dean of Nursing. Dr Subashini, in her address, highlighted the critical role of nursing professionals in suicide prevention, noting that nurses are often the first point of contact and play a vital role in early identification of warning signs, patient education, timely referral, and stigma reduction.
During the scientific session, Dr Prerana Gupta presented a comprehensive and evidence-based overview of suicide prevention, citing World Health Organisation (WHO) 2021 data. She stated that globally, approximately 727,000 people died by suicide in 2021, amounting to one death every 40 seconds, making suicide a leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults. In India alone, over 1.64 lakh suicides were reported in the same year, with students, homemakers, and working-age adults identified as particularly vulnerable groups.
Dr Gupta defined suicide as an intentional act of self-harm influenced by a complex interaction of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. She discussed key risk factors, including depression, previous suicide attempts, trauma, substance use, academic pressure, chronic illness, family conflict, social isolation, and limited access to mental health care.
Prevention Strategies and Interactive Session
Focusing on prevention, Dr Gupta emphasised the importance of early recognition of warning signs, empathetic communication, crisis intervention, mental health literacy, and strengthening community-based support systems. She also highlighted that mental health challenges are universal and can affect individuals across all social and professional backgrounds.
The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students actively sought guidance on suicide risk assessment, counselling approaches, and effective intervention strategies relevant to clinical and community settings.
Conclusion and Outcomes
The programme concluded with closing remarks and a Vote of Thanks by Ms Sayma Bhatnagar, acknowledging the contributions of the speaker, dignitaries, organisers, faculty members, and students.
Overall, the guest lecture significantly enhanced students’ understanding of suicide prevention, reinforced evidence-based practices, and strengthened their preparedness to support individuals in crisis within their future professional roles. The event reaffirmed Teerthanker Mahaveer University’s commitment to mental health education, awareness, and socially responsible healthcare training, aligned with global public health priorities.
