Street plays bust mental health stigma

Trigger warning: this article contains material related to suicide and mental illness. Through this week college students from six States staged impactful and engaging street plays that put the spotlight on mental health and suicide prevention among their peers and how and where could they seek help. “You are not alone’ is conveyed powerfully with a hashtag: We are #Ear for you Given the rise in student deaths by suicide in India in the past five years and the growing concern over the mental health of the country’s young population, the initiative to empower students to champion mental health in colleges through street plays was launched earlier on September 10 to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day. “The street plays work as an effective tool to communicate the importance of mental health and create a supportive environment for those who may be struggling,” says Pearl Fotedar, Delhi-based life skills counsellor. Number of students dying by suicide is up by 70% between 2011 and now This year 23 student deaths have been reported in the coaching hub Kota, and two IIT Delhi students died by suicide in last two months Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling the 24x7 helpline at Aasra 9820466726; Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health - 011-4076 9002, Monday-Saturday, 10am to 7.30pm.