Date of Event: 19th September 2024
Location: SomLalit College Campus, Ahmedabad
Organised by: Saath Suicide Prevention Centre, Ahmedabad
Objective
The outreach event, organized by the Saath Suicide Prevention Centre at SomLalit College, aimed to create awareness around mental and emotional health among students. The event focused on educating students about:
Identifying common stressors.
Recognizing early symptoms of stress.
Developing strategies to manage various types of stress effectively.
Empowering girl students with basic self-defense tips to ensure their safety.
Key Areas Covered
1. Mental and Emotional Health Awareness
The event emphasized the importance of maintaining good mental health, particularly in stressful academic environments.
Students were educated on the early warning signs of stress and the long-term impact of unmanaged stress.
Practical tips on how to manage stress were shared, encouraging students to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
2. Self-Defense Awareness for Girl Students
A special focus was given to the safety and self-defense of girl students.
Participants were educated on:
The importance of being aware of their surroundings.
Identifying potential threats early.
How to confidently handle threatening situations, should they arise.
These aspects aimed to equip female students with confidence and awareness to navigate potentially dangerous situations.
Interactive Approach
To ensure the engagement of students, the outreach event was designed to be highly interactive and participative. The following activities contributed to its success:
Demonstration by Saath Volunteers:
Volunteers from Saath provided a practical demonstration on the concept of “Befriending,” a supportive method to help those experiencing mental distress. They also shared safety tips for girl students.
Stage Play by Students:
A stage play was performed by the students of the college, using a creative medium to reinforce the key points discussed during the presentation. This play made the messaging more relatable and memorable.
Team Participation
The Saath team was represented by Anjuben, Sudhir, Ambarish, Ruby, Pooja, Jasbir, and Nirav. Ms. Sakina, a Befriender and Professor at the college, hosted the event and served as the anchor. The strong collaboration between the Saath team and the college ensured the event’s success.
Outcome and Reception
The outreach event was well-received by both students and faculty members. Participants appreciated the focus on mental health and self-defense, and the interactive nature of the event contributed to a meaningful and memorable experience.
This initiative reflects Saath Suicide Prevention Centre’s ongoing commitment to fostering mental well-being and empowering students with life skills that promote safety and resilience.