GILGIT: In the wake of a rise in incidents of suicide in Gilgit-Baltistan, a five-day training programme was organised to train counsellors for government schools and colleges.

The programme, which ended on Wednesday, was designed by The Rupani Foundation, in collaboration with the GB Education Department.

The first cohort of volunteer general counsellors (VGCs) were trained during the programme. These counsellors will support the emotional well-being of students in government schools and colleges as the first line of support. The training was facilitated by Associate Professor in Institute of Clinical Psychology (University of Karachi) Dr Salman Shahzad.

The ceremony was attended by 35 school and college teachers, trainers, Secretary (Social Welfare Department) Raja Rasheed Ali, Director General (Schools) Majeed Khan and officials of the Education and Social Welfare Departments.

According to data received from GB police, 65 suicides (males 52.5pc, females 44.5pc) were registered during the first six months of 2022 and 79pc of the victims fell in the age group of 15 to 39 years. This trend has outnumbered the annual rate of any single year since 2005.

Addressing participants as chief guest, Mr Ali said the government would soon approve projects worth Rs100 million to work on mental health of people and suicide prevention in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Chief executive officer of Rupani Foundation Jalaluddin shared details of the foundation’s suicide prevention network.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2023