“UMMEED” , A Government Initiative

A burning question that why students coming to KOTA from all over India for preparing JEE & medical Entrance commits suicides. As an estimate that 2 Lakhs students went to Kota annually for preparation from all over India.

These students committed suicide for the reasons the intense academic pressure, rigorous coaching, and parental expectations.

Some students find stressful, anxiety in their behaviour and mental issues, especially because they are away from their families.

As per information, a total of 26 students have died by suicide in Kota in just eight months this year.

The Kota district administration, as a preventive step ordered all hostels and PG accommodations to install spring-loaded fans in all rooms “to provide students mental support and security”

UMMEED – Understand, Motivate, Manage, Empathize, Empower, Develop is a government initiative in regard of prevention of suicide by youths.

On 3^rd October 2023 Ministry of Education released Draft With the motto, “Every Child Matters” Guidelines for schools to Prevent Suicide.

Draft guidelines titled UMMEED serves as directions to schools for enhancing sensitivity, Understanding, and providing support in case of reported self-harm. Factors influencing suicidal behaviour, risk factors, misconception and myths around suicide have been categorically addressed in the guidelines for “accurate identification of warning signs of suicide.”

The draft document suggests identifying the warning signs as such as history of depression, child abuse, previous attempts of self-harm, poor self-esteem among students to prevent self-harm among school children. “Identifying the warning signs is important to provide timely support to students, as it is these signs which would lead to identifying those at risk of harming themselves,” the document states.

Recognising a collective responsibility to prevent suicides, the guidelines suggest measures to identify feelings, actions, and behaviour indicative of students at risk at school, home and at community level.

UMMEED stands for “Understand, Motivate, Manage, Empathize, Empower, Develop”

The draft guidelines for schools to prevent suicides in students , prescribing in its “Plan of Action” Includes :-

2. A school Wellness Team (SWT) can be formed under the leadership of the School Principal, where each member is oriented to deal with crisis situations.
3. The guidelines recommend an orientation once in a year for teachers & Family members, to help create awareness about student suicides. These orientations will be organized by the schools for the capacity building of various stakeholders.

Other Recommendations are –

(a) Enhance Students Knowledge and encourage peer support.

(b) Organizing activities on a regular basis to relax and reduce stress.

(c) Providing channels for expression.

(d) Compiling resources to seek support.

(e) Integrating metal well-being in school functioning.

(f)Creating a safe environment in school and beyond including monitoring of railway tracks, river banks, bridges etc.

Maintaining records and a follow-up with the student risk is also one of the critical suggestions in the guidelines.

Hope that UMMEED initiative will help in stop the Suicidal death of the youths .