Life Mantra organizes rally to mark Suicide Prevention Day

Life Mantra, a mental health related organization, in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City-6 organized a rally at Boudha to mark Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday.

Students from Mahendra Boudha Secondary School, Lord Buddha, Janakalyan Secondary School, Kumari Boarding Secondary School, members of Tusal Youth Club and Attarkhel Yuwa Samaj took part in the program.

The rally, which started from Mahendra Boudha Secondary School this morning, passed through Boudha Stupa, Boudha Pipalbot and Boudha Tusal before converging into a corner Assembly at the same school.

On the occasion, KMC-6 Chairman Bhuwan Lama said: “We were not born to commit suicide, but to develop the society, country and the world. We all have to join hands together to take the country towards the path of prosperity.”

“We have to help each other in every step. We were born to change the society and ensure the rights of every people,” adding, “Like the population is increasing day by day, the incidents of suicide are also on the rise.”

“Family problems, anxiety, depression, substance abuse among others are some of the causes that are leading the people to commit suicide,” he further said.

Meanwhile, clinical psychologist Sulav Raj Upreti said that those who struggle with low self-worth often view themselves negatively, unable to see their strengths, and deny their own needs. This mindset can increase the risk of depression and even suicide.

“We must create environments that encourage support and understanding. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, don't hesitate to seek help. You are not alone, and support is always available,” he said.

Similarly, senior clinical psychologist Chetana Lokshum said: there are very few people who take their lives all of a sudden, they plan, prepare and execute. They show several signs such as talking about guilt, not wanting to live anymore. We have to take these signs seriously and consider it as their “cry for help.”

She said that just the way we need physical food for us to function properly in a physical way, we also need mental food for us to function properly in a mental way too, such as:

   - Physical exercise

   - Meditation

   - Cutting off junk food

   - Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

According to World Health Organization, over 800,000 people die by suicide each year – that’s one person every 40 seconds.

The World Suicide Prevention Day is being observed since 2003 on September 10 each year.

Life Mantra is an organization that raises mental health awareness through community programs, provides specialized counseling to help individuals overcome challenges and offers tailored training for education, health workers, parents and students.

The organization’s objective is to strive to foster social justice, equality, peace, and prosperity supporting disadvantaged groups like seniors, women, children and disaster survivors.

Life Mantra provides services like 

- Individual Counseling (Relationship, Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Stress)

- Yoga and Meditation

- Hiking for Well-being

- Training and Capacity Building Programs on Mental Health and Well-being

- Awareness Programs

- Parenting Skills Training

- Life Skills Training

- Rejuvenating Retreat