Mumbai: Milestone Dentsu and Manas Foundation launched #StopWhenYouSpot campaign, to shed light on warning signs and to spot suicidal behaviour before it’s too late.
According to the latest report by National Health Profile, the number of suicidal deaths in India stands at an alarming 133,623 in a year; depression being one of the leading reasons behind it. Though depressed people display critical signs of suicidal behaviour, these warning signs often go unnoticed due to a lack of general awareness.
Manas Foundation, which has been actively working in the field of mental health for the past 18 years, launched the digital campaign in association with Milestone Dentsu, the creative agency from Dentsu Aegis Network. The campaign comprises of 3 short films, each highlighting certain manifestations of mental health concerns, and urges viewers to spot the signs early to help prevent suicidal ideations from being carried out. The ‘slice of life’ films thoughtfully portray how the warning signs of depression and suicide lie hidden in plain sight amidst everyday situations.
Naveen Kumar, the founding member of Manas and a consulting psychologist said, “1 person commits suicide every 4 minutes in India. Though nearly 50 million people suffer from mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, consulting a psychologist is still a taboo in India. While occasional mood swings are normal, dramatic changes in behaviour and mood over a relatively short period of time is a matter of grave concern. Despite each person experiencing and living depression in different ways, there are certain commonalities which can be identified, and early interventions can be made.”
Dr. Amiya Banerjee, President Trustee and Psychiatrist added, “The only way to recognize suicidal tendencies is to spot the signs of depression. The earlier you do so, more are the chances of saving a life. While some warning signs could be easier to see, others are hard to spot as patients often try to hide their feelings and emotions from family and friends. With the #StopWhenYouSpot campaign, the aim is to bring such warning signs to people’s attention.”
Ujjwal Anand, Country Head, Milestone Dentsu said, “Working with Manas Foundation was quite insightful as we came to know about several ground-level realities that most people are not aware of. Depression and anxiety disorders are some of the most critical problems that require immediate attention. It’s time we come out of our closets and start healthy discussions on the issue because that could be the first step towards preventing people from taking their lives. We look forward to continuing the partnership and creating some more meaningful content in times to come.”
Mayank Khattar, National Creative Director, Milestone Dentsu said “The idea was to create awareness about the signs of depression and suicidal behaviour in a way that people could relate to. That’s why, we placed our actors amidst real-life candid situations, to stress upon the fact that depressed patients could be anyone among us. I hope the films will help people spot suicidal behaviour and get professional help on time.”
https://www.facebook.com/ManasfoundationDelhi/videos/512535942506283/
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