The Creed Department discusses suicide prevention in the university environment from a doctrinal perspective in an academic course.

The Department of Creed and Islamic Thought at the College of Islamic Sciences, University of Samarra, held a two-day academic course entitled “Suicide Prevention in the University Environment: An Integrated Legal and Psychological Perspective.” The course was delivered by Dr. Adnan Mahdi Hamad, Dr. Walid Mutab Ali, and Dr. Hussein Alwan Hussein.

The lecturers emphasized the message that suicide is prohibited, as it violates the sanctity of human life, which is one of the five essential necessities and a trust from God bestowed upon the human body. They affirmed that patience and hope, accompanied by supplication and remembrance of God, open the doors of optimism. They also stressed that seeking help is a duty and part of taking the lawful means prescribed by Islamic law, and that regardless of the psychological or material hardships a person may face, one must not transgress by taking the life entrusted by God.

The course aimed to enhance awareness of the seriousness of the phenomenon of suicide and its causes within the university community from an integrated legal and psychological perspective, to clarify the Islamic legal position on suicide, to instill the values of preserving life, hope, and patience among students, and to enable participants to recognize early psychological and behavioral indicators of individuals at risk.

The course concluded with several outcomes, including increasing awareness among students and faculty members of the causes of suicide and scientifically and religiously grounded methods of prevention, as well as strengthening correct understanding of Islamic texts that emphasize the sanctity of human life and the obligation to protect it. Participants also acquired basic skills in psychological support and in dealing with students exposed to psychological crises, and misconceptions related to depression and psychological disorders were addressed.

In addition, the course presented a set of recommendations, including incorporating periodic awareness programs on mental health and suicide prevention into university activities, strengthening cooperation among Sharia, psychological, and counseling departments within universities, activating the role of university psychological counseling services and facilitating students’ access to them with confidentiality and safety, and encouraging students to adhere to faith and patience, recognizing that this world is a place of testing and trial, and to maintain optimism about the future.