ANCA officials, faculty and students during a suicide prevention programme held at NECU on September 10.
Dimapur, September 10 (MExN): Several institutions across Nagaland observed World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) 2026 on September 10 with awareness programmes, seminars, and interactive sessions focused on the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) Kohima, stationed at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), observed the day alongside General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) students at NHAK. The programme began with an opening prayer by NHAK Chaplain Kashito S Sumi.
Nursing faculty Inaholi Assumi reflected on why suicide remains a taboo subject and stressed the importance of open conversations and prevention. Clinical Psychologist Ruokuotunuo Rutsa led a session on “Emotional Wellness and Nurturing Mental Health,” equipping participants with practical tools for emotional care.
Addressing the roughly 34 GNM student attendees, DMHP Nodal Officer Dr Senilo Magh spoke on the WSPD 2026 theme, emphasizing the need to break silence and barriers, challenge myths, and foster a culture of support, compassion, and understanding. The session was chaired by Psychiatric Social Worker Veronica Nriame, aiming to strengthen awareness among future healthcare professionals.
Separately, Immanuel College, under its Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), observed WSPD under the same theme, with Roots and Wings Counsellor Ketuno Sophie Imchen serving as the theme speaker. Imchen emphasized empathy, care, mindful use of words, and avoiding judgment to create a safe community, noting that suicide prevention is a collective responsibility.
The college programme included a video presentation by M.A. English students conveying a message of hope and recognizing distress signs, followed by a confidential counselling session for registered students. Chaired by Assistant Professor and IQAC Coordinator Nengpilhing, the event featured an invocation by Girls’ Hostel Matron Inaholi Ayemi and a welcome address by Principal Dr Th Sharatchandra Singh.
In Dimapur, the Psychology Programme of North East Christian University (NECU), in collaboration with the All Nagaland Counsellors Association (ANCA), organized a suicide prevention programme chaired by NECU faculty and ANCA General Secretary Niutoli Tuccu. NECU Director Dr Kangzangding Thou delivered the welcome address, highlighting the need for a supportive environment where individuals feel safe to seek help.
The first speaker, St. Joseph Higher Secondary School Principal and ANCA Advisory Board Member Dr Fr Pezalhoukho George, spoke on the history of suicide prevention and rising concerns in Nagaland, urging participants to introspect and listen without judgment. The second speaker, Serendip Guardians Co-Founder and ANCA Finance Secretary Bokatoli Yeptho, discussed the decriminalization of suicide under the Mental Healthcare Act (MHA), framing it as a potential cry for help requiring professional support and responsible language.
An interactive activity presented participants with case scenarios to identify warning signs through small acts of listening and reaching out. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by B.Sc. 1st Semester psychology student Hannah Yeptho, reinforcing that suicide prevention is a collective responsibility.
