Odisha to launch ‘Safe Campaign’ to curb rising student suicides in State

In a bid to tackle the alarming rise in suicide tendencies among youngsters, the Odisha Higher Education Department is all set to launch a state-wide ‘Safe Campaign’. The initiative will promote mental well-being across colleges and universities, aiming to build a supportive environment, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said on Wednesday.

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This program will be launched across all colleges and universities under the directive of Higher Education Department. The campaign would be implemented through ‘Shakti Shree’ scheme, focusing on maintaining the mental balance of students. This will not only raise awareness but also encourage collective support within campus.

“Students who may feel stressed or disturbed due to any incident must be understood and supported,” stated Minister Suraj. He emphasised that combating suicidal tendencies requires a joint effort from students, parents, and teachers alike.

Institutions will organise awareness programs, counselling sessions, and provide tools to help students navigate emotional distress. The overarching aim is to create a positive and responsive ecosystem where youth feel safe, heard, and supported.

The government believes that early intervention and open conversations on mental health will play a crucial role in saving lives and nurturing emotionally resilient youth.

“We will carry out the ‘Safe Campaign’ under Shakti Shree scheme, which aims to provide mental support to the youngsters and help them maintain their mental balance; so that, they would not take any untoward steps in adverse situations,” the Minister stated.

“All of us have to help each one of us. It is not about the students alone, but also in any organisation where someone is in depression and has fallen prey to anxiety, must be helped out. To curb the tendency of committing suicide in youngsters, we must create a safe environment where one would be at ease to ventilate the grief,” the Minister added.