IIT Mandi with QPR India on World Suicide Prevention Day: Organise a one-day suicide prevention training program

IIT Mandi on World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September 2025): A one-day Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Program was organised by IIT Mandi in association with QPR Institute India. In order to equip academics, wardens, and staff to recognise warning signs and assist students in distress, the seminar taught them the evidence-based QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) methodology. This program demonstrates IIT Mandi's proactive efforts to build a resilient and encouraging campus community. A One-Day Suicide Prevention Training Program was successfully organised by the IIT Mandi Guidance and Counselling Cell to promote a supportive campus environment.

Nelson Vinod Moses, the founder and CEO of QPR Institute India, was invited to speak at the event. He is a specialist in suicide prevention and a TEDx speaker. "Somewhere in the world, someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds, and in India alone, over 100,000 people die by suicide every year," he stated. Students are the most at risk, particularly those pursuing careers and getting ready for difficult tests. In order to assist these students, the QPR program equips regular individuals with amazing skills that enable them to identify warning signs, ask the proper questions, and direct someone to safety. We are creating a robust safety net of knowledgeable individuals who can help save someone from dying; there are currently over 50,000 Gatekeepers in India and over six million trained Gatekeepers worldwide," he said.

The director of IIT Mandi, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, stated, "At IIT Mandi, student welfare is our first focus. We think that mental health care and emotional fortitude must coexist with academic success. We are constructing a multi-layered framework for mental health through various programs, such as wellness classes and counselling services. We are ensuring that our pupils receive access to comprehensive care and life-saving skills through mental health initiatives like QPR training.

IMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) has scientifically approved the QPR program, and the Indian government has suggested it in its Facilitator's Manual for Suicide Prevention Workshops. The program gave participants a unique forum to freely express their opinions on this subject. In addition to a wallet card and suicide prevention handbook, participants also received a diploma from the QPR Institute and a compilation of materials tailored to suicide prevention in India. Through the QPR methodology—Question, Persuade, and Refer—an evidence-based intervention created to assist people in recognising the warning signs of a suicidal crisis, effectively intervening, and connecting the person at risk to professional care, the training gave participants life-saving skills.

The training was carried out with the specific goals of establishing a solid connection between students and the system of support, cultivating empathy, and advocating for a comprehensive approach to mental health and well-being. IIT Mandi reaffirms its dedication to establishing a suicide-safe and supportive environment where professional care is easily accessible and early intervention is promoted by empowering important members of the academic and administrative community.

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