The Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services through the National Committee on the Prevention of Suicide (NCOPS) is working collaboratively with Non-Government Organisations, Faith Based and Civil Society Organisations, youth groups and communities to raise awareness on suicide prevention.

Through a multisectoral approach, the Health Ministry aims to intensify its outreach to as many communities.

Events are organised aligned to the theme “Working Together to Prevent Suicide.”

The NCOPS members will organise similar awareness programs throughout the country to reach out to families, schools, corporate agencies, faith based and youth groups along with rural and urban villages and settlements.

The awareness will provide opportunities for networking and information sharing on ways to cope with stressors, developing resilience, and ways to manage stressors to prevent severe distress.

It will also promote the values of empathy, compassion, genuine concern to reach out with messages on suicide prevention.

The Ministry has also strengthened support mechanisms with existence of other platforms through Fiji Police, Life Line Fiji’s National Suicide Helpline toll free number 132454 and National Child Helpline 1325.

Earlier this week, World Suicide Prevention Day was acknowledged with Lifeline Fiji together with NCOPS organising a vigil program in Lautoka.

Keeping the momentum, the Mental Health Walk for Hope program is organised for next month on the 13th October to be held at Sukuna Park and Albert Park in Suva.