Odisha Leaders Call for Mental Health Awareness on World Suicide Prevention Day

Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida urged people to prioritize mental health, spread awareness, and stand united in the fight against suicide.

Chief Minister Majhi, in a message on X, highlighted the state government’s ‘Jeevan Zindabad’ programme, which aims to prevent suicides and promote awareness. “Suicide is not the path to a solution; it is a weak mindset. To prevent suicide, our government has launched the statewide ‘Jeevan Zindabad’ programme. On this Suicide Prevention Day, let us pledge to overcome problems, love life, and work together to create widespread social awareness,” he wrote.

Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo underscored the value of life, calling for compassion and empathy in place of stigma. “Every life holds infinite value. On World Suicide Prevention Day, let us replace judgment with compassion, and silence with empathy. By changing the narrative—from stigma to support—we can build a society where mental health is prioritized, conversations are welcomed, and no one feels alone in their struggle,” he posted.

Deputy CM Pravati Parida also emphasized that suicide is never a solution and praised the government’s initiative to tackle the issue. “No matter how big the problem is, suicide is never the solution. Suicide is a sign of a weak mindset. To raise awareness, Suicide Prevention Day is observed. With this objective, our government’s ‘Jeevan Zindabad’ programme is a unique effort in this direction,” she wrote on X.

The leaders appealed to citizens to come together, pledge against suicide, and foster a culture of support and awareness to save lives.