Working towards strengthening and transforming
#mentalhealth
of our communities to be holistic & responsive in addressing individual & collective well-being.
7. Suicide is a largely preventable public health problem. There are several counselling services and helplines working across the country for this cause. Include these resources in your story/report.
End of thread.
1. Don’t promote suicide stories by placing them in the front pages of the newspaper or as a lead item for broadcast media.
2. Don’t give details about the method or location of any suicide death or attempt.
(
@abantika77
@PriyankaPulla
@soutikBBC
@patralekha2011
) 2/n
3. Suicide notes, text messages, social media posts, and emails of the deceased person and/or their family members should not be published.
4. Don’t speculate. Verify your facts from multiple sources when the reasons for a suicide death or attempt are not immediately clear. 3/n
6. Don’t write of suicide deaths/attempts as horrific, unfortunate events. Open up your story by focusing on the celebrity’s life and their contribution to society. 5/n
We're soon launching a new project for better journalism on suicides in India. Most understand the importance of this. But let's go back in time. A thread on what's really at stake if we don’t act now.
#SuicidePrevention
1/n
#IndiaMHObservatory
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 👉 Launching a FREE ONLINE course for all media professionals, including journalists & journalism students on 'Reporting Suicides Responsibly: Implementing Evidence-based Guidelines for the Media'. The course is LIVE. Sign up NOW!
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay2021
We are delighted to announce Geetika Mantri
@geetikamantri
, Senior Editor, The News Minute as the winner of the
#ProjectSIREN
Award for Journalists 2021 for her piece titled ‘How the coverage of Sushant Singh’s death was a disservice to mental health reportage’. 1/n
We deeply mourn the tragic death of Darshan Solanki, a young student at IIT-Bombay, who ended his life due to alleged caste-based discrimination. Dalit, Bahujan & Adivasi students routinely experience discrimination by upper-caste students & faculty.
Educational Institutions ++
W E A R E L I V E!
The Keshav Desiraju India Mental Health Observatory (IMHO) is delighted to announce the launch of the 'Public Archive'.
An open-access crowdsourced platform that contains information & data on
#MentalHealth
related laws, policies & programmes, in India. 1/n
🔘 Download the 1st ever App on the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
🔘 'MHCA 2017' is an easy-read guide & resource tool for service-users, caregivers, mental health professionals, etc.
🔘 Scan the QR codes at the end of the video or follow the links in the next tweet. ⤵️
Here are 7 guidelines in
#Hindi
for covering celebrity suicides in a sensitive way, advocated by WHO and other international organisations.
Media professionals, you may want to print these and pin them to your desk-boards. Please share widely!
#SuicidePrevention
"We believe that you cannot address a mental health problem purely as a medical issue, it is a psycho-social issue... You need to address the psychological aspects and the social aspects of the mental health problem". -
@netshrink
.
#WMHD2021
Full series:
Journalists, media professionals & everybody at large writing/ talking about deaths by suicide (YouTube & Instagram influencers included): PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THESE GUIDELINES. You can save lives by being mindful of your language & tone. Please reach out to us, if any questions.
📣 We are delighted to announce that in collaboration with Ambuja Cement Foundation
@WeAreACF
,
#Atmiyata
: our community-led mental health program is extending its reach across 101 villages in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh.
#CommunityMentalHealth
Trigger warning: We are tweeting about media guidelines for reporting of celebrity suicides. If you feel disturbed or stressed by the content, please reach out to someone you trust or call the following helpline for support.
#SuicidePrevention
With a heavy heart, we share some heart-breaking news of losing our dear colleague Shailesh Solanki, Project Manager, Atmiyata, to Covid-19. We have a vivid memory of hiring Shailesh in February 2017, where we met a promising young man who soon became a true Atmiyata Champion. ++
We're happy to announce that we've launched an
#MHCA
e-Legal Support Unit in Chhattisgarh, in collab. with Directorate of Health Services. This is intended to provide remote guidance & support to stakeholders for legal queries on the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act ++
We're extremely delighted to announce that
#Atmiyata
has been listed by
@WHO
as one of the 25 good practices for 'community outreach mental health services’, around the world, that promote person-centred & rights-based approaches. 1/2
Announcing a free workshop for journalists and other media professionals on reporting suicides responsibly.
📅 Wednesday, 26th Aug.
⏰10:30am - 1:00pm IST
Tap below to register. Please share widely!
#SuicidePrevention
#Media
#SPIRITHub
We are delighted to announce that our course for media professionals- ‘Reporting Suicides Responsibly’ is now officially a part of
@TheQuint
's induction program for new employees. Urging other media houses and publications to follow suit. Please DM us for more details. 1/2
As a part of a day long Twitter chat organised by
@USAID_NISHTHA
, tomorrow
@netshrink
will be taking questions and tweeting about “Mental Health and Stigma in India during Covid-19”. Tweet your questions with the hashtag
#ReachingTheUnreached
.
🗓️ 2nd July
⏰5pm - 6pm
👍 137% increment in budget allocation & identifying 'health & well-being' as one of the six pillars of the budget -long needed and very welcome
👎
#MentalHealth
finds NO mention in the speech - disappointing!
Detailed thread on mental health and
#Budget2021
soon.
We are shocked to hear about Mr Desiraju’s passing away. He has been an integral part of not just the Centre and its various initiatives but the mental health & disability rights community at large. He truly believed in the cause and lent his voice to transform public health 1/2
Spare 4 hours this weekend and complete a certificate course in Reporting Suicides Responsibly. The course is free, online & self-paced! Sign-up today. Open to all but designed specifically for media professionals, including journalists and students of journalism.
Congratulations Dr Rajani Parthasarathy and Mr R Prasana on being jointly awarded the Keshav Desiraju Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service in Mental Health, for the year 2023.
#KeshavDesirajuMemorialAward
Today, 5 September, marks the first death anniversary of Mr Keshav Desiraju, former Union Secretary, MoHWF, GoI (2013–14).
We at
@CMHLPIndia
have been fortunate to work closely with him and on this day, remember him and hope to carry forward his legacy & vision to ++
📢📢ANNOUNCEMENT: We are organising e-workshops every Saturday to discuss issues related to mental health and well-being at workplaces, for those under 30. Do register! Last date for signing up: 30th September 2020. Details below.
>>> BIG ANNOUNCEMENT <<<
We at
@CMHLPIndia
, in association with Thakur Family Foundation
@thakurfdn
, are pleased to announce the 'Keshav Desiraju memorial award for outstanding public service in mental health, 2022'.
More details:
Please share widely!
Do's and Don'ts on reporting suicides, adapted from WHO, the Canadian Psychiatric Association, SNEHA, and Mindframe to name a few.
#SuicidePrevention
#SPIRIT
The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) is the flagship programme of the central govt for delivering mental health services. It comprises of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) which was started in 1992 to scale up community-based mental health services across India++
➡️This year
#MentalHealth
found a mention in the
#UnionBudget2022
speech. 23 centres for tele-medicine have been announced, for which NIMHANS has been appointed the nodal authority. Based on the review of the expenditure budget for the
@MoHFW_INDIA
, here is our initial reading ⤵️
The
#IndiaMHObservatory
team at
@CMHLPIndia
has analysed the wordings of over 270 medical insurance policies in India to assess the extent to which they complied with Section 21(4) of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.Want to find out about your policy? 👇🏾👇🏾
#ProjectSIREN
uses a scorecard to rate media reports on suicide in India.The parameters of the scorecard are drawn from
@WHO
’s guidelines on reporting suicides responsibly.The tracking results will be released every quarter w/ the process of evaluation online for all to access.++
According to
@WHO
's media guidelines for reporting suicide, here is a list of images that SHOULD NOT BE USED unless there is explicit permission from the family of the deceased. Please circulate this within newsrooms and news desks.++
#SuicidePrevention
#ReportingSuicide
"There is a lot of mental health support that volunteers with a good amount of training, mentoring & support from trained professionals can provide, which is adequate & of good quality. This is the best way to increase access to any kind of mental health services." -
@netshrink
.
Quick reminder for all media professionals- if you can spare approx. 4 hours this weekend, take our free online course on suicide reporting, featuring some of the most renowned experts from the field. Follow the link in the image to know more and sign up!
Does your insurance policy provide mental health coverage? We have reviewed 300 policies to determine the extent of coverage they offer and the disparities that exist. Find out more about your insurance policy on our website. Link in the tweet below. 1/2
#Atmiyata
has been listed by
@WHO
as one of the 25 good practices for community outreach mental health services around the world. Here's a short clip from the event, interspersed with some images from the field. Hear
@netshrink
speak about Atmiyata's team & their work. ++
Our position statement on
#ConversionTherapies
: they are unlawful and detrimental to the
#mentalhealth
of those who are put through them. We call upon all mental health professionals to stop such services and provide support in line with the Mental Healthcare Act.
Here's
@amritat
on Al Jazeera speaking about the importance of following evidence-based guidelines when reporting on suicide.
If you are a journalist/ student of journalism - sign up for our free & self-paced e-course on Reporting Suicides Responsibly -
As a part of a day long Twitter chat organised by
@USAID_NISHTHA
, tomorrow
@netshrink
will be taking questions and tweeting about “Risks and increased Vulnerabilities faced by Persons w/ Disabilities”. Tweet your ques. with the hashtag
#ReachingTheUnreached
🗓️2nd July
⏰4 - 5pm
We are opening this up for a 2nd batch of applicants. Last date to apply: 12th Nov.
WE ARE LOOKING for Youth Panel Members in India for: The Global Mental Health Databank Project. Know more about the project here: Apply here:
SCB Medical College & Hospital is organising an online
@TEDx
event from 25 June - 27 June 2021. Their theme this year is
#ChangingTheLens
.
@netshrink
will be speaking at the event on
#SuicidePrevention
. Registrations are now live. Register here:
We are organising a learn-by-doing workshop on WHO’s guidelines for reporting suicides responsibly. Do sign up and share with journalists & fellow media professionals. This is a free workshop! Tap below to register.
📅 Wed, 26th Aug.
⏰ 10.30 AM to 1.00 PM
WE ARE LOOKING for Research Associates for our projects on
#SuicidePrevention
. Both the positions are based in Pune. Last date to apply: 20th June 2021. To know more or apply, follow the link: . Please RT for reach. Thank you.
#JobAlert
#Vacancy
#Hiring
We have been raising awareness about the link between media reporting and suicide rates for the past few months. Now we are announcing a NEW PROJECT to this effect on
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay
A brief thread on the urgent need for this. 1/n
📢 Journalists & media professionals: Here’s a short video on best practices for reporting suicides responsibly. Please use and share this widely.
#SuicidePrevention
#ProjectSIREN
India’s Mental Health Budget Crisis.
Consistently low funding for mental health over the decades has led to a weakened public mental health system, increasing the treatment gap for mental health conditions. ++
Hirra Azmat is the winner of this year’s
#ProjectSIREN
Award for Journalists, for her article ‘Life is beautiful’: IMHANS, SRO set up `Zindagi’ to prevent suicides, promote positive behaviour in Kashmir.
#MediaForSuicidePrevention
We're gearing up for the online launch of
@WHO
's new guidance on rights-based community mental health services.
@netshrink
will be part of a panel discussing 'good practice mental health services'. Save your seat.
📅 10th June 2021
⌚️ 6.30 - 8.15 PM IST
🔗
A big congratulations to all our participants of the first batch of the Gatekeeper Training Course for
#SuicidePrevention
.
This is an online course based on WHO’s mhGAP (Mental Health Gap Action Programme) Intervention Guide for Self-harm/ Suicide, adapted specifically for ++
Help us reach young people between the age of 18-24 to understand how they manage their mental health. Please RT and share within your networks.
Click on the link in our bio to know more or sign up for the study.
#Help
#YouthMentalHealth
A special milestone for our
#MHCA
team -
@arjunkapoor
,
@BagraYash
,
@sharonannsabu1
&
@netshrink
. In a first of its kind effort, they've trained police officials from Raipur, Bilaspur, Bastar & Surguja range in Chhattisgarh on implementing the MHCA (Mental Healthcare Act) ++
📢📢This is for ALL
#MentalHealth
professionals.
We have created a Resource Manual to help you integrate supported decision-making strategies into your engagement with persons with psychosocial disabilities. Help us spread the word. Link to download the manual in next tweet 1/2
As part of
#ProjectSIREN
, we analysed 1,318 news reports on deaths by suicide & attempted suicide from 9 of the highest read English language newspapers. NONE OF THE 1318 articles scored provided any information to dispel myths, create awareness on
#SuicidePrevention
++
Register for the Joint 5th Global Mental Health Summit (GMHS) and 9th National Bioethics Conference (NBC)
Mental Health: Center-staging Human Rights, Ethics, Law, Research & Policy
Virtual | 3 Dec 2022 | 2.30 PM onwards
Register here:
Schedule: Day 1 👇🏽
WE ARE LOOKING for Youth Panel Members in India for: The Global Mental Health Databank Project. Know more about the project here: Those interested, pls register here: Last date to apply: 20th Oct.
"For me, this whole experience of having mental disorders itself has created a lot of inequity & inequality".
Thank you,
@shubhrata_p
for adding your voice to our series based on the theme: mental health in an unequal world.
▶️ Tap below to watch the video series on our website.
A democracy needs active citizens who are aware and know their rights. In a bid to encourage such dialogue, inaugurating our
#KnowYourRights
series that’ll unpack the provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act (
#MHCA
) to make it more accessible.
@mariwalahealth
#IndependenceDayIndia
Thinking how the discourse on suicide/ prevention can improve? It starts with a simple step: don't be reductive. Excerpt from a chat show, Status Single with Shree: "Men & Mental Health - The Myth of Masculinity" feat.
@netshrink
. Video ->
@NIMHgov
#SPIRIT
Rupika TL is a former intern on
#ProjectSIREN
- ‘Suicide Reporting India Watch’, and has assisted the team in analysing media articles for their adherence to
@WHO
’s suicide reporting guidelines. Here’s what Rupika has to say about her internship experience at
@CMHLPIndia
.
Announcing a panel discussion on
#SuicidePrevention
📢 Media as an Ally in Suicide Prevention
📅 11 Sept | Sat
⏰ 12 PM - 1.30 PM
🔗
Panelists: Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Ms Dhanya Rajendran, Ms Nidhi Jamwal, Mr Umakant Lakhera & moderated by Tanmoy Goswami.
🟡 ADMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
Apply for the International Diploma in Mental Health, Human Rights & Law, 2023 - 2024.
The is a one-year Diploma programme with two residential sessions in Pune, Maharashtra.
Download the prospectus, here:
The South Asia Implementation Research Fellowship in Mental Health is now accepting applications for its third and final cohort of 2021-2022.
Details on our website: . Last date to apply: 27th June 2021.
#SPIRITFellowship
. Please help us spread the word.
CW/TW
"Do you know what obstetric violence is? Mistreatment, disrespect, abuse, and dehumanised care during childbirth in the ambit of sexual and reproductive health services are termed obstetric violence (OV). While physical and verbal abuse in reproductive health settings ++
"Mr Desiraju believed public service was a calling rather than a career and in this, he was an anachronism, a throwback to a more idealistic time in India’s short history as an independent nation." - a personal tribute to Mr Desiraju by
@netshrink
.
The National Institute of Health & Family Welfare
@nihfw_India
, in collab. with
@mariwalahealth
&
@CMHLPIndia
is organising a 3-day ONLINE training program to build a practical understanding of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. Details in the flyer. Last date to apply: 25th July.
If you are a postgraduate in psychology or mental health and want to play an active role in preventing youth suicides 👇🏾
Join us as a 'Peer Mentor' on 'Outlive' - our project on Youth Suicide Prevention, where you will be trained to mentor and supervise young peer supporters. ++
This is
@kaustubhjoag367
from CMHLP. Speaking from a mental health systems perspective, there is an urgent need to strengthen self-care and informal community care services, along with specialised care. We need to co-design the stepped-care approach++
And our routine continues albeit digitally. We have conducted a series of online training sessions for psychiatrists in Chhattisgarh on the Mental Healthcare Act in collaboration with the state's Directorate of Health Services.
@HealthCgGov
@TS_SinghDeo
@mariwalahealth
.
For the youth in our country to be actively involved with all aspects of mental health, it is important for them to understand why a rights-based approach to mental health is imperative. We are glad to be a part of We The Young’s ‘Mental Health Champion Project’.
@JasmineKalha
.
ANNOUNCEMENT: We're now accepting applications for the new batch of
#TheAtmiyataCourse
: providing evidence-based mental health support. Please tap on the image for more details on the course structure, application process & form. This is an ONLINE course. We strongly believe 1/2
📌 Announcement
Presenting the MHCA 2017 Implementation Tracker.
This Tracker provides updates on the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, at the Centre and across States & Union Territories.
Instructional video to use Tracker:
#MHCA2017
We are now accepting applications for the 14th batch of the International Diploma in Mental Health, Human Rights & Law. Download the prospectus from our website. Last date to apply: 31 August 2022
ATTENTION ALL MEDIA PROFESSIONALS: Here’s a free online course on reporting suicides responsibly that we have developed in consultation with suicide prevention experts, media professionals & people with lived experience. If you have 4 hours to spare, complete the course today! ++
Announcing the
#ProjectSIREN
Award for journalists 2021. Details on the submission criteria, jury panel, etc. here: . Last date: 15th Aug. We at Project SIREN recognise journalists & media persons as crucial allies to support suicide prevention activities.
Divya Kandukuri
@anticastecat
from
@TheBlueDawn56
talks about her lived experience and the structures & obstacles that are built around mental health services in communities. "There is stigma even within the mental health fraternity".
@SangathIndia
#ErwadiTragedy
If India were to develop a National Suicide Prevention Strategy, how do we ensure it is:
1) intersectoral & systemic in its approach
2) responsive to individuals at risk of suicide
3) implemented in communities
4) involves all agencies & stakeholders
Join us for an online ++
▶️ Presenting the next video in our series based on this year’s world mental health day theme: ‘Mental Health in An Unequal World’. Hear Raj Mariwala, Director
@mariwalahealth
on her interpretation of the theme & how mental health funders can help in reducing these inequalities.
Congrats to
@IswarSankalpa
's Naya Daur &
@BanyanBalm
’s HomeAgain. While
#Atmiyata
is for communities at large, Home Again provides housing options for ppl transitioning from institutionalised care & Naya Daur supports homeless ppl. All 3 programs from 🇮🇳 cover 3 different groups.