Public health action need of the hour

The government needs to adopt public health programmes to prevent suicide across the country, speakers said at an event yesterday.

Suicide is a public health concern, which needs to be addressed through awareness meetings and seminars at school levels, they said.

The speakers made these remarks at a programme organised by Brighter Tomorrow Foundation (BTF) on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day at The Daily Star Centre.

Public health expert Benazir Ahmed said the government can appoint councillors in all educational institutions for suicide prevention.

AAMS Arefin Siddique, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, said, "Our society puts so much pressure on students to do well academically that they end up feeling deeply ashamed of themselves to even face society again."

Prof Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, director at National Institute of Mental Health, said, "The SDGs require countries to reduce suicide by 10 percent. The government has taken two initiatives -- the mental health act and national mental health survey -- in this regard."

Brig Gen (retd) Dr Md Azizul Islam, principal of US Bangla Medical College, said "People going through suicidal ideation should not be punished."

BTF President Jayashree Zaman presided over the event.