Tata Steel Employees Join Evening Session On Mental Health
Key Points:
- TMH Psychiatry department holds day-long observance on suicide prevention
- Youth panel discusses mental health pressures facing young people today
- Evening session for Tata Steel staff features psychiatrists from PGI, MTMC
JAMSHEDPUR – Tata Main Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry observed World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday with a series of programmes aimed at encouraging open conversations on mental health and reducing the stigma around seeking help. The observance sought to strengthen community understanding of suicide prevention and promote timely professional intervention.
Dr Manoj Kumar Sahoo, head of the Department of Psychiatry at TMH and professor at Manipal Tata Medical College, delivered the welcome address to open the day-long programme. Dr Vinita Singh, general manager of medical services at Tata Steel, attended as chief guest.
Other senior officials present included Dr Ashok Sunder, chief medical officer for indoor services; Dr Mamta Rath Datta, chief medical officer for support services; and Dr Hridesh Sahani, medical superintendent and head of radiology at TMH.
A youth-focused panel discussion titled “#Let’s Talk: Mental Health Beyond the Hashtags” formed a central part of the day’s events. The panel featured an MBBS intern, a DNB resident doctor, a nursing staff member and a student counsellor, bringing younger voices into the conversation on mental health advocacy.
Panellists discussed pressures faced by young people navigating an increasingly digital world, along with the importance of recognising early warning signs of distress. They also addressed crisis intervention approaches and pathways to professional support during the session.
“Peers, families and communities all have a role to play in offering timely support,” one of the panellists said, according to hospital officials. The session closed with a formal vote of thanks to speakers, dignitaries and attendees.
In the evening, the medical services division of Tata Steel organised a separate online panel discussion for employees titled “Mental Health Matters.” Dr Sahoo moderated the session, which featured Dr Akhilesh Sharma of PGI Chandigarh, Dr Deepak Rout of Manipal Tata Medical College and Dr Dyuthy R of Tata Main Hospital.
The panel examined common psychological challenges in a fast-paced work environment, along with coping strategies and misconceptions that often prevent people from seeking professional help. Dr Vinita Singh delivered the closing remarks, noting that mental health forms an integral part of overall wellbeing.
The observance in Jamshedpur follows a similar programme held earlier this week at Ranchi’s St Xavier’s College, where a psychiatrist and college officials addressed students on warning signs and safety planning around suicide prevention. Tata Steel’s medical services division has in recent months expanded outreach on employee wellbeing, alongside the company’s continuing engagement in community health initiatives across the region, including recent work by DAV Bistupur’s education-focused sessions and ongoing public health alerts issued by the Jharkhand government.
