RAWALPINDI: Suicide is preventable if a holistic approach towards it is taken by considering biological, psychological and social factors.

This was stated by Dr Saima Hamid, vice chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day.

The country’s first National Centre of Research on Suicide Prevention has been established at the university’s premises and was inaugurated on the day.

Dr Hamid said there was a dire need to initiate measures to prevent suicide with the help of academicians, researchers, clinicians and mental health professionals.

The FJWU had organised an event in connection with the day in collaboration with Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL), Secretariat Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs and Global Mental Health Research Group, University of Manchester (UK).

The National Centre of Research on Suicide Prevention aims to provide research-based information for informed policy-making, prevent suicidal tendencies and promote healthy and responsible behaviour in the society.

Pointing out the importance of the day, Dr Hamid, PILL Chief Executive Officer Prof Nasim Chaudhry, Professor of psychiatry and director research at the University of Manchester Prof Dr Nusrat Hussain, chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi Prof Imran Bashir Chaudhry and head of FJWU Department of Behavioural Sciences Dr Aneela Maqsood stressed on the importance of preventive measures toreduce suicide rate in Pakistan.

Dr Hamid said the establishment of the centre in the university was a very timely step, adding that the university’s management was concentrating on mental health research in multiple areas.

“The centre will rightly serve as a platform to connect the organisations working on mental well-being, particularly on suicide prevention at the national and international level. It will provide a forum for academics, mental health professionals, crisis workers, volunteers and suicide survivors to serve the cause of humanity,” she said.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2021