Itanagar, Feb 6: A one-day ‘gatekeepers training on suicide prevention’ for teachers, administrative staff and wardens, along with a ‘youth champions training on mental health awareness’ for students, was conducted at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jote, on Friday.
The programme was organised by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) project team of the Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies (AITS), Rajiv Gandhi University, and brought together over 50 teachers, wardens, counsellors and students. The training aimed to equip participants with essential skills to identify individuals at risk of suicide, provide timely support, and facilitate referrals to mental health professionals.
The programme began with an address by NIT Dean (Student Welfare) Dr MM Singh, who emphasised the importance of institutional mental health initiatives and highlighted the crucial role of trained gatekeepers in suicide prevention.
The teachers’ training sessions were conducted by psychologist and project research scientist-II Dr Leeyir Ete, who provided a structured understanding of suicide, the role of gatekeepers, risk and protective factors, and emerging mental health challenges among youth.
The sessions included interactive modules on effective communication, empathetic listening, suicide risk assessment, and intervention strategies, focusing on linking individuals to appropriate mental health support systems.
As part of the youth champions training, students underwent a capacity-building programme conducted by Mayuri Handique, Dr Tuyir Riba, Chara Lowangcha and Abhishek Rajak, all project research scientists. The sessions focused on early identification of emotional distress among peers, basic psychological first aid, and promoting sustained dialogue on mental health within the campus community.
The training concluded with an address by NIT Director Prof Mohan Aware, who highlighted the importance of such initiatives and outlined ongoing mental health measures on campus, including the mentor-mentee programme, compulsory co-curricular activities and integration of yoga into the academic curriculum.
The programme witnessed active participation and hands-on learning, empowering participants to play proactive roles in promoting student well-being and suicide prevention on campus.