In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, which falls on September 10th, the ‘Jeevan’ Suicide Prevention Centre organized a series of inter-school and inter-college competitions today at the RMS High School auditorium in Khutadih. The event saw enthusiastic participation from over 200 students representing 17 schools and 4 colleges, competing in three categories: Nukkad Natak, Debate, and T-shirt Painting.
The Nukkad Natak competition, with the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide – Start the Conversation,” aimed to encourage young people to talk openly about mental health issues and work towards removing the stigma associated with them. The event featured 15 teams and was judged by Geeta Dubey, Nizam, and Gautam Gope, who praised the performances for their powerful messages and impactful delivery.
The T-shirt Painting competition focused on the theme “Importance of Mental Health.” Fifty-one students showcased their creativity and artistic skills by painting meaningful slogans and designs that highlighted the significance of mental health awareness. The judges for this competition, Jasmin Adeshra, Harpreet Marwah, and Mokshita, were impressed by the originality and thoughtfulness displayed by the participants.
The Debate competition, conducted in both Hindi and English, provided a platform for 48 students to express their views on the topic “The Effectiveness of Essential Mental Health Education in Educational Institutions.” The participants debated passionately both for and against the motion, showcasing their eloquence and understanding of the topic. Judges Shamita Ahuja, Vandana Jain, and Anuradha Banerjee evaluated the students' arguments, commending their insightful perspectives and strong articulation.
Teachers and parents accompanying the students appreciated the seamless organization and smooth conduct of all three events by Jeevan volunteers. "It was inspiring to see such a large number of students engage so deeply with the topic of mental health," one teacher remarked.
Certificates of participation will be awarded to all students, with special prizes for the winners in each category to be distributed during an evening function organized by Jeevan on Tuesday, September 10th.
In addition to today’s events, Jeevan has urged schools and colleges to organize rallies on dates that suit them to further promote mental health awareness. So far, five institutions—DB College of Education, Arka Jain University, Dayanand Public School, JUSCO School Kadma, and RMS High School Khutadih—have planned such rallies, with Jeevan volunteers set to accompany them.
