IIT Kanpur Hosts Gatekeeper Training Sessions On Suicide Prevention For Faculty, Students And Staff Members

IIT Kanpur community members were trained in vital skills to support individuals in crisis situations.

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (Campus Picture)

Kanpur: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has taken notable strides to bolster student welfare endeavors, placing a strong emphasis on promoting mental health and overall well-being among its campus populace. As part of its comprehensive initiatives, the Institute Counselling Service at IIT Kanpur recently conducted a 'Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training' in partnership with experts from the Suicide Prevention India Foundation (SPIF) on March 13th and 14th. The objective of this training was to provide essential skills to members of the community, enabling them to effectively aid individuals facing crisis situations.

The event saw active participation from 110 selected individuals, including faculty, staff, hall managers, doctors, nurses, security personnel, and students. The program highlighted the importance of identifying warning signs, intervening effectively, and connecting individuals with necessary resources. The training sessions, featuring interactive workshops and practical exercises, providing participants with valuable insights into suicide prevention strategies and the significance of offering empathetic support.

IIT Kanpur is committed to promote a supportive, inclusive, and academically empowering environment that prioritizes the mental and emotional well-being of every individual in the institute community. By emphasizing mental health initiatives such as the Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training, IIT Kanpur is nurturing a compassionate community where every individual feels valued and empowered to seek help when needed.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared to be an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. IIT Kanpur is best known for the highest standard of education in science and engineering and for seminal R&D contributions over the years. The institute has a sprawling lush green campus spread over 1055 acres with a large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 25 centres and 3 interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 570 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students.