PsyGlobal is proud to support World Suicide Prevention Day.

HAVE THE TALK.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1764841/opinion-a-tough-conversation-but-one-we-must-have/

Myth: You have to be mentally ill to even think about suicide.

Fact: Most people have thought of suicide from time to time and not all people who die by suicide have mental health problems at the time of death. However, many people who kill themselves do suffer with their mental health, typically to a serious degree. Sometimes it’s known about before the person’s death and sometimes not. 

Myth: People who talk about suicide aren’t serious and won’t go through with it.

Understanding the desperation of those who attempt to take their own lives and remembering those we knew on World Suicide Prevention Day.
No matter where you live in the world and what you are going through, You Can Cope.

Vikram Patel outlines a highly promising approach -- training members of communities to give mental health interventions, empowering ordinary people to care for others. The model can perhaps be replicated across India to bridge the gaps in treatment demand and availability of mental health professionals. 

Excellent campaign by CHILDLINE INDIA. The film delineates the concept of safe and unsafe touch, so that children can be better equipped to protect themselves and take help from trusted adults if ever caught in a similar situation.

Psychiatrists are not the only ones who can "fix-it-all". Have you tried Psychotherapy instead?

Excellent article & a powerful reminder of what is missing in our perception of mental health & illness.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-rubin-phd/psychotherapy_b_3799157.html

New research promises a blood test to predict suicide risk
Medical breakthrough or oversimplification?

TIMES VIEW 

Biology cannot be destiny 

Scientists at Indiana University in the US claim to have pinpointed a molecule in the bloodstream that identifies people intent on taking their own life. They claim that raised levels of this biomarker can predict and thereby prevent suicide attempts. 

“Nothing in my life has ever made me want to commit suicide more than people's reaction to my trying to commit suicide.” 
― Emilie Autumn, The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls

Decriminalizing suicide- about time...
NEW DELHI: A Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha to decriminalize suicide. 

The mental health care bill, 2013, aims at making access to affordable mental healthcare a right for all and seeks to decriminalize acts of suicide, linking it to the state of mental health of the person attempting the act. 

Finally- A law that allows adults to make an "advance directive" or decide on a course of action regarding how they wish to be treated in case they develop a mental ailment and one which ensures that all insurance companies will have to make provisions for medical insurance for treatment of mental illness as is the case with a physical ailment.

NEW DELHI: A legislation to protect rights of persons with mental illness and ensure people with such disabilities are treated humanely by banning practices like tonsuring or chaining of patients was introduced in Rajya Sabha on Monday.