LAHORE: The Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH) organised an awareness and hope walk, model display and a multisectoral policy dialogue on suicide prevention in Punjab on Thursday to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2026.
Held under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, the activities highlighted the need to move from awareness to practical and coordinated action for suicide prevention. The day began with an awareness and hope walk attended by doctors, psychologists, nurses, paramedical staff, faculty members, postgraduate residents and other PIMH employees. A model display followed, showcasing messages on suicide prevention, protective factors, hope, support systems and timely professional care.
The key activity of the day was the Multisectoral Policy Dialogue on Suicide Prevention in Punjab, bringing together representatives from government, health, psychiatry, clinical psychology, academia, emergency services, social welfare, legal and judicial sectors, youth, civil society and media.
Parliamentary Secretary for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Rashida Lodhi said suicide prevention was an important public health and social responsibility requiring collective action. She appreciated PIMH for bringing stakeholders from different sectors together and promoting a shift from awareness towards practical action.
Executive Director PIMH Prof Dr Ayesha Rashid emphasised that suicide prevention could not be addressed by the mental health sector alone and required coordinated efforts involving health, education, emergency services, social welfare, legal institutions, communities, youth, civil society and media.
The dialogue focused on suicide and self-harm data systems, early identification and clinical care, crisis and emergency response, post-attempt follow-up, community and youth-based prevention, family support, responsible media and digital communication, professional capacity building, institutional safety and learning from suicide-related incidents. Aqeela Ambreen, Principal Clinical Psychologist and Chairperson of the PIMH Wellness Club, moderated the session.
One key proposed outcome of the dialogue was the development of the “PIMH Suicide Prevention Action Charter 2026”, aimed at translating stakeholder recommendations into practical, measurable, and coordinated actions to strengthen suicide prevention and response mechanisms in Punjab. The event conveyed the message: “Changing the Narrative on Suicide — From Awareness to Action.”
