Jalandhar February 19 (Jaswinder Singh Azad)- Lyallpur Khalsa College organised a Mental Health Wellness Training Session in its Computer Auditorium in compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court of India and the Directorate of Higher Education, Punjab. The programme was conducted under the aegis of the College’s Mental Health Support Committee to promote awareness regarding early identification and prevention of suicide among youth. The session began with a welcome address by Prof (Dr) Rachpal Singh Sandhu. Dr Sandhu emphasised that mental health challenges among young people have intensified in contemporary society, making awareness and preventive education indispensable. He noted that rising suicide figures demand proactive engagement by educational institutions to create supportive ecosystems for students.
The keynote lecture was delivered by senior psychologist Dr Pallavi Khanna, who has more than 25 years of professional experience in youth mental health. Speaking on “Early Identification of Symptoms of Suicide and Its Prevention”, she highlighted that individuals between 15 and 29 years constitute the most vulnerable demographic and that teachers are uniquely positioned to recognise early warning signs. Dr Khanna discussed factors contributing to student distress, including academic pressure, parental expectations, lack of communication, social comparison, bullying, relationship challenges, and excessive dependence on digital platforms.
Faculty members were advised to watch for behavioural changes
She stressed the urgent need to break the stigma surrounding mental health so that students feel safe seeking help without fear of judgement. She encouraged institutions to organise interactive awareness initiatives such as debates, street theatre, and open discussions to normalise conversations about emotions, imperfection, and the importance of asking for help. Faculty members were advised to watch for behavioural changes, anxiety, withdrawal, or self-harm tendencies and to guide students towards professional counselling when required.
The session also focused on promoting healthy lifestyles, including adequate sleep, balanced diet, meaningful friendships, and caution against substance abuse and unhealthy digital immersion.The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Simranjeet Singh Bains, Convenor of the Committee for Mental health. Dr. Bains shared mental health helpline information and reiterated the college’s commitment to inclusivity, anti-ragging vigilance, and student support services.
The event was conducted by Dr. Daljit Kaur and culminated in a thought-provoking nukkadnatak performed by students to spread awareness through creative expression.The initiative was widely appreciated by faculty members and marks another step in the college’s ongoing efforts to foster a compassionate and mentally healthy academic environment.