Connect Communicate & Care is the only way to prevent Suicides: AOH

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai, 11^th September 2017: Suicide is a huge but largely preventable public health problem, causing almost half of all violent deaths and resulting in nearly 10 lakh fatalities every year, says Association of Hospitals (AOH). The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September) is ‘Take a minute, change a life’.

To leverage this global campaign AOH calls on the general population to address a large public health problem which has been shrouded in taboo for far too long.  AOH aims to spread awareness in order to prevent suicide by implementing the idea of Active listening; for people who alienate themselves and provide every human with the emotional support by helping them overcome their fears and lead them with a quality life.

Dr. PM Bhujang, President, Association of Hospital while suggesting measures said "people should take precautionary measures to prevent and treat depression and solve their problems by taking it as challenge by focusing on the solution to the problem. They should start coping with mental illness, and try to avoid negative thoughts. On most of the occasions, suicide is not a planned attempt to kill oneself but perhaps a quick decision that one sees as a permanent solution to a temporary problem. We at AOH aim to prevent and manage mental illness by providing voluntary, professional assistance, confidential care, and emotional support to the depressed”.

He further said, “Online Addiction in teenagers is growing rapidly, among the youth. Therefore, Parents should be friendly with the children and observe their behavior rather than judging them. A recent online menace: The Blue whale challenge that is taking a toll on teenager’s life is keeping them hooked to life threatening games and has taken 130 lives. Children pretend to be mature but are still vulnerable and succumb to peer pressure. The game therefore is finding its way through teenagers who are fighting stress and fail to understand the difference between an augmented game and reality”. In 2003, the World Suicide Prevention Day was first recognized, as an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, endorsed by the World Health Organization. Suicide is the second leading cause of deaths in 15-29 year-olds globally.

About Association of Hospital:: The Association of Hospitals has been formed under the Memorandum dated August 6, 1985 and is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The Association is also registered under Maharashtra Public Trust Act, 1950 as Public Charitable Trust with the office of Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra State.

Presently there are 52 members of the Association and all of them are Public Charitable Trust Hospitals registered under Maharashtra Public Trust Act, 1950 with the concerned offices of Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra State depending upon the Jurisdiction. The members being not-for-profit charitable hospitals render yeomen service to the public and bear a major share of healthcare service to the people.