Mangaluru: We are all aware how often a person troubled with depression will resort to certain drastic steps, including attempt to suicide in the absence of proper redressal systems.
In order to address this core issue, Susheg Charitable Trust in collaboration with St. Aloysius College (Autonomous) Department of Social Work and St. Agnes College (Autonomous) P.G. Department of Psychology) is establishing and operating a suicide hotline in Mangalore – Susheg Life Line .
Why do we need a hotline?
In recent years the number of suicide cases as well as attempt to suicide has seen a rise in the city of Mangaluru, which is a growing city, home for a number of educational institutions that attract students from all over the country. The need to address the mental health issues of the student population warrants immediate attention. As per reports, about 8,00,000 people commit suicide worldwide every year and, of these 1,35,000 (17%) are from India. Every hour about 15 people resort to suicide in India.
It has been estimated that nationally, suicide attempts are 10 times more than actual suicides which is just the tip of an iceberg as accurate statistics are not available due to under-reporting because of the stigma attached. Youngsters, both male and female between the ages of 15-29 are considered to be the most vulnerable to suicide. India has one of the world’s highest rate of suicides in this age group accounting for 30-40 deaths per 100,000. Hanging, poisoning, drowning, and self immolation are reportedly the most common methods used for suicide attempts. As data from National Crime Records Bureau shows, suicide is more prevalent in South India and the States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu top the list. NCRB also recorded 570 student deaths in the year 2014 in the state of Karnataka.
Pressure from parents to do well in the board examinations ( 10th and 12th grades) seems to be a common cause of concern as the scores of these examinations determine eligibility for higher education and employment opportunities. Educational institutions are also involved in the rat-race of obtaining 100% results and continuing their track record which has a direct impact on students. Suicide seems like an easy way out from the pressure to excel. In 2013 alone, 2,471 suicides were attributed to ‘failure in examination.’
Susheg Life line is a humble attempt to respond to this growing need for someone to talk to in times of distress.
How the lifeline will operate:
There will be a central phone line which the person in distress can call. The receptionist will take down the number of the caller and send it to a trained volunteer who will call the person immediately and provide the needed emotional support and make a referral for follow up. Office staff and the volunteers will maintain confidentiality throughout the process.
Resource Directory:
A resource directory which will list all the resources available in the district is being prepared, copies of which will be made available to all the volunteers. NGOs or organizations that provide mental health/Counselling services will be listed in the directory. If you are a mental health care provider and would like to be included in the directory, please e-mail Prof. Roshan Monteiro : [email protected]
Areas where people can help:
As a volunteer: Volunteers with a compassionate heart, good listening skills and emotional maturity to handle persons in distress are always welcome to extend their support in this initiative. The volunteer will require to have fluency in Kannada, English, Malayalam and Hindi. The person, will be trained by a team of professionals free of cost and on completion of the training successfully, he will be certified as a life line volunteer. After the training, the volunteer can sign up for a weekly shift (either 8 hours or 4 hours) and be available to take the calls. Cell phones will be provided to the volunteers by the Life Line.
The training for the first batch of volunteers will commence from April 17 to April 22. The training sessions start at 5 pm and end at 7:30 pm. Anyone interested in serving as a volunteer can pick up an application from St. Agnes College P.G. Department of Psychology office or from St. Aloysius College M.S.W. Department.
As a Donor: Contributions in the form of cash or kind will be required in order to set up the hotline service. The account details for the same are as below:
Account Name: Susheg Charitable Trust-Susheg Lifeline
Account Number: 520101022731532
IFSC Code: CORP0003506
Narmada Building, Falnir Road
Mangaluru- 575 001
Besides this the lifeline will be in need an office space measuring apprx 300- 350sq ft within city limits, 12 nos of basic cell phones, a computer, a printer, a steel cabinet, stationary and basic office furniture viz. a desk and four chairs
As an office Receptionist: The Receptionist is the first point of contact for the caller so anyone with compassion, with excellent communication skills, with preferably a bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Psychology can volunteer to be the office secretary. The lifeline requires two persons to work the day and night shifts.
As a Clinical Supervisor: Professionals from the field of mental health- psychiatrists, Psychiatric social workers, psychologists, and counsellors with clinical experience can offer voluntary services to serve as clinical supervisors to the volunteers who are on call. One or two clinical supervisors will be needed for providing back-up support to the volunteers by being available for consultation and expert advice on every shift. A person interested to volunteer as a clinical supervisor can contact Dr. Lavina Noronha at [email protected].
For more information, the below-mentioned people from Susheg Life line Core Committee can be contacted:
Mr. Roshan Monteiro: 8073852946- [email protected]
Dr. Lavina Noronha: 9449830186- [email protected]
Sr. Marie Evelyn A.C.: 9449105344- [email protected]
Address: Susheg Life Line, A unit of Susheg Charitable Trust
3-64, Manjankatte, Badaga Yedapadav Village, Kompadav Post
Mangaluru- 574 144
E mail: [email protected] Website: www.sushegtrust.org
A public brain storming session is scheduled to be held on April 6 at 5 PM at St. Agnes College P.G. Department auditorium (enter from Mercara Hills) and those interested to know more about this worthy project, are cordially invited to be present at the same.Volunteer application forms will be made available at this meeting.
Susheg LifeLine services will operate from Sparsha Clinic, opp. Radha Medicals, Bendore Well, Mangaluru- 575 002
Come, let us join hands to save lives!
