Training on Psychosocial Well-Being and Life Protection (Gatekeeper) Conducted in Hemja

Training on Psychosocial Well-Being and Life Protection (Gatekeeper) Conducted in Hemja, Pokhara

A two-day training on psychosocial well-being and life protection (Gatekeeper) was conducted in Hemja, Nepal on Sunday and Monday, 12-13 March, 2023. The training focused on suicide, risk groups for self-harm and suicide, causes and factors that increase behavior of self-harm and suicide, indicators of suicide risk and danger, possible indicators of suicide, protective measures that can reduce the risk of suicide, delusions related to suicide in the context of Nepal and realities, as well as training on where and how to make emergency dispatches, supportive care, etc.

The training was facilitated by a psychiatrist named Vijay Rai, project coordinator Sudeep Ghimire, head of Hemja Health Chowki Pokhara 25 Kusmraj Subedi, mental health focal person of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dipendra Sunar. The participants were advised to put their learning into practice and become gatekeepers in the community.

Motiraj Timsina, spokesperson of Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality and chairman of Pokhara 25, expressed confidence in the participants of the training, stating that they can play an important role in identifying people with suicidal thoughts and behaviors and providing psychosocial support to those identified.

Krishnaman Shrestha, a member of the Pokhara 25 Suicide Prevention Support Committee, urged the participants to shoulder social responsibility and emphasized that no one with psychosocial problems should be thought of as a bad person. Sapna Subedi, a member of KOSHISH (National Mental Health Self Help Organization), informed about KOSHISH in the program.

The training was organized by the National Mental Health Self-Help Organization and coordinated by Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality, with collaboration from Suicide Prevention Support Committee, Pokhara 25, Hemja Health Chowki, and CBM Global Disability Inclusion. By providing practical knowledge and guidance, the training aimed to equip gatekeepers with the necessary skills to protect individuals at risk of suicide and self-harm, and to promote psychosocial well-being in the community.

Published on 14th March 2023