Press Release
Press Release from IEC Cell, District Hospital Singtam
Information & Public Relations Department
Training Programme on Suicide Prevention Launched in Districts Under Sikkim INSPIRES
The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), District Hospital Singtam, Gangtok District, under the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, on 08 July 2026 inaugurated a two-day Training Programme on Suicide Prevention under the Sikkim INSPIRES initiative. The training aims to strengthen the knowledge and skills of XX Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Health Educators in the early identification, assessment, management, referral, and follow-up of individuals at risk of suicide. Additionally, 105 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) were provided one-day training on the early identification of at-risk individuals and appropriate referral mechanisms.
The programme brings together frontline healthcare providers from across the district and is being facilitated by psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and counsellors of the District Mental Health Programme who previously underwent intensive Master Trainers Training conducted by the State National Mental Health Programme under Sikkim INSPIRES, Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. Through this cascade model of capacity building, the expertise acquired at the state level is being transferred to frontline health workers, enabling them to provide timely, compassionate, and evidence-based suicide prevention services within their communities.
During the inaugural programme, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment, Referral and Follow-up for Health Workers in Sikkim was officially released. The SOP provides a standardised framework to assist frontline health workers in identifying individuals at risk, conducting basic risk assessments, providing immediate psychosocial support, ensuring appropriate referral to higher levels of care, and facilitating follow-up services. It is expected to strengthen the integration of suicide prevention into routine healthcare services across the State.
The training sessions are being facilitated by the DMHP Singtam team comprising Dr. Kunzang Ongmoo, District Nodal Officer (DNO), DMHP East; Mr. Sangam Sharma, Counsellor; Ms. Tsering Lhamu, Counsellor; Ms. Shanti Chettri, Counsellor; Ms. Sonam P. Tongden; and Ms. Pinkey Bhutia. The resource persons are guiding participants through interactive lectures, case discussions, role plays, and practical demonstrations to enhance their confidence and competence in responding to individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress.
This cascading training approach is expected to establish a sustainable network of trained frontline health workers across Sikkim who can identify warning signs at an early stage, provide immediate support, facilitate timely referral to mental health services, and ensure continuity of care through appropriate follow-up. By strengthening the capacity of the primary healthcare workforce, the initiative seeks to improve access to quality mental health services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, remains committed to promoting mental health, preventing suicide, and building a compassionate, responsive, and accessible healthcare system. Through initiatives such as Sikkim INSPIRES, the Department continues to strengthen community-based mental health services and ensure that every individual experiencing emotional distress has access to timely care, support, hope, and recovery, ultimately contributing to a sustained reduction in suicide-related morbidity and mortality in the State.
The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), District Hospital Singtam, Gangtok District, under the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, on 08 July 2026 inaugurated a two-day Training Programme on Suicide Prevention under the Sikkim INSPIRES initiative. The training aims to strengthen the knowledge and skills of XX Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Health Educators in the early identification, assessment, management, referral, and follow-up of individuals at risk of suicide. Additionally, 105 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) were provided one-day training on the early identification of at-risk individuals and appropriate referral mechanisms.
The programme brings together frontline healthcare providers from across the district and is being facilitated by psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and counsellors of the District Mental Health Programme who previously underwent intensive Master Trainers Training conducted by the State National Mental Health Programme under Sikkim INSPIRES, Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. Through this cascade model of capacity building, the expertise acquired at the state level is being transferred to frontline health workers, enabling them to provide timely, compassionate, and evidence-based suicide prevention services within their communities.
During the inaugural programme, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment, Referral and Follow-up for Health Workers in Sikkim was officially released. The SOP provides a standardised framework to assist frontline health workers in identifying individuals at risk, conducting basic risk assessments, providing immediate psychosocial support, ensuring appropriate referral to higher levels of care, and facilitating follow-up services. It is expected to strengthen the integration of suicide prevention into routine healthcare services across the State.
The training sessions are being facilitated by the DMHP Singtam team comprising Dr. Kunzang Ongmoo, District Nodal Officer (DNO), DMHP East; Mr. Sangam Sharma, Counsellor; Ms. Tsering Lhamu, Counsellor; Ms. Shanti Chettri, Counsellor; Ms. Sonam P. Tongden; and Ms. Pinkey Bhutia. The resource persons are guiding participants through interactive lectures, case discussions, role plays, and practical demonstrations to enhance their confidence and competence in responding to individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress.
This cascading training approach is expected to establish a sustainable network of trained frontline health workers across Sikkim who can identify warning signs at an early stage, provide immediate support, facilitate timely referral to mental health services, and ensure continuity of care through appropriate follow-up. By strengthening the capacity of the primary healthcare workforce, the initiative seeks to improve access to quality mental health services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, remains committed to promoting mental health, preventing suicide, and building a compassionate, responsive, and accessible healthcare system. Through initiatives such as Sikkim INSPIRES, the Department continues to strengthen community-based mental health services and ensure that every individual experiencing emotional distress has access to timely care, support, hope, and recovery, ultimately contributing to a sustained reduction in suicide-related morbidity and mortality in the State.
