The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has announced considerable moves to improve student welfare programs, with an emphasis on mental health and well-being among campus communities. As part of the project, IIT Kanpur hosted ‘Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training’ in partnership with specialists from the Suicide Prevention India Foundation (SPIF).
The training took place on March 13 and 14 and was attended by 110 selected persons, including teachers, staff, hall managers, physicians, nurses, security officers and students. This program was designed to provide its community members with the necessary abilities to assist persons in crisis circumstances.
During the session, the experts emphasized the necessity of recognizing warning signals, responding effectively, and connecting individuals with vital services. The training sessions, featuring interactive workshops and practical exercises, providing participants with valuable insights into suicide prevention strategies and the significance of offering empathetic support.
“IIT Kanpur is committed to promote a supportive, inclusive, and academically empowering environment that prioritizes the mental and emotional well-being of every individual in the institute community. By emphasizing mental health initiatives such as the Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training, IIT Kanpur is nurturing a compassionate community where every individual feels valued and empowered to seek help when needed,” an official statement from IIT Kanpur stated.
A similar training was conducted by the Kota administration in February where the administration hosted free training for the director, manager, warden, guard and mess staff working in every hostel in the city. Recently, several IITs and other officials have been conducting mental wellbeing sessions with students to ensure that students (who appear for JEE, NEET, other competitive and board exams) are able to share their problems and be stress free.
