Aligarh: “India accounts for 18% of the world’s population, while it contributes to 28% of global suicides. Similarly, in the US there are significantly higher suicide rates among women, where one in every four girls in the US has reportedly planned suicide,” said Professor Robin E. Gearing from the University of Houston, USA, while delivering a lecture titled “Informing Suicide Prevention Pathways to Ideation and Behaviours”, at the Department of Social Work, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
Prof Gearing discussed suicide as a public health issue, beginning with its historical and cultural references across various religious ideologies.
His research focuses on improving the mental health outcomes of adolescents and young adults with serious mental illnesses and their families.
Prof Gearing highlighted key risk factors for suicide, including depression, anxiety, isolation, aggression, insomnia, and prior suicide attempts. He pointed out that older adults are at greater risk than younger generations. The session also featured data revealing 13.2 million global deaths and 3.8 million suicide plans recorded last year.
Joining the event was Dr. Shahnaz Savani, a Lecturer of Social Work at the University of Houston-Downtown and adjunct faculty member at Tulane University.
Prof. Naseem Ahmed Khan, Chairperson, Department of Social Work, AMU, and other faculty members, including Dr. Qurratul Aein Ali, Dr. Shyna Saif, Dr. Andleeb, Dr. Mohd Uzair, and Dr. Sameera Khanam, research scholars and students engaged with the session’s themes, contributing to discussions on suicide risk factors, gender specific trends, and the socioeconomic dynamics of mental health challenges.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Mohammad Tahir. Dr. Mohd Arif Khan conducted the session.
The delegation further explored the possibilities of future collaboration between AMU and Houston University in the form of students, faculty exchanges and research projects.
