Mangaluru: Suicide Lifeline (a 24×7 hotline that persons in distress can call to seek solace and to help them reorient their suicidal ideation), will be launched on Sunday, October 1 by MLA Moideen Bawa at 5 pm at The Forum Fizza Mall.
The launch will be preceded by a skit on the subject of suicide and followed by a brief explanation of the need, concept and modus operandi of the Lifeline.
Background
About 8,00,000 people commit suicide worldwide every year. The suicide rate in Dakshina Kannada too is of great concern, confirmed a survey on mental health and well-being of 1016 students between the ages of 14-25 years of Mangaluru by Mr. Roshan Monteiro, Sr. Marie Evelyn A.C and Dr. Lavina Noronha conducted in March 2017. This set a precursor to the setting up of the suicide Lifeline. Preliminary analysis of the results indicate that 4.52 percent of students surveyed have a history of past suicide attempt and a significant number (6.79%) of students have suicidal ideation.
Providing a lifeline of emotional support to such persons to prevent suicide is therefore, the need of the hour. Susheg Charitable Trust, in collaboration with St. Agnes College, St. Aloysius College, Roshini Nilaya and a number of concerned citizens have set out to do just that. Months of preparation will culminate in the launch of this emotional support service on October 1, 2017. The primary goal of the Suicide Lifeline is to prevent suicide and promote mental health and well-being.
Modus Operandi
The Lifeline number 0824-2983444 will be publicised though Social Media Networks, local Television Channels, News Networks, digital and print media. Those in distress are encouraged to call the lifeline, which will be available to distressed callers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Professionally trained multilingual operators with excellent communication skills will be the frontline recipients of the distress calls. The call will immediately be transferred to a trained volunteer who will also be working in shifts 24X7 and who will then respond and assist the caller according to a protocol Confidentiality and immediacy are the cornerstones of this protocol. Three batches of volunteers have been intensively trained and a fourth batch of training is being conducted this week.
There will also be one back up clinician available for consultation and assistance to the volunteers. If lethality is assessed to be high, the volunteer will consult the back-up clinician, and the phone line coordinator who will make arrangements for immediate intervention, evacuation and/or emergency medical assistance. Police assistance will be sought by the clinical supervisor/operator if the situation demands.
About Susheg Charitable Trust
Susheg Charitable Trust, a registered body, was formed in this coastal city to enrich the lives of all living beings – humans, animals and plants. Susheg means contentment, derived from the Portuguese sossegado which means contented form of life. Building and operating assisted living facilities for those with neurological challenges, offering counselling, rehabilitation and hotline services, educating and sensitizing of the community on health and wellness, establishing treatment units for the care of animals, and promoting natural and organic farming are the stated objectives of the trust.
Appeal
In order to sustain this critical social initiative the Lifeline needs financial, material and logistics support from the Government, Industry, philanthropists, men and women of good will and all those who can partner with it in its noble mission Medical, Psychological, Psychiatric Professionals, Hospitals, Police, and Educational institutions.
Every contribution has significance, not only in terms of financial support for the initiative but also in its affirmation of its mission to reach out those in distress in our community with this much needed service.
The Lifeline looks forward to any financial/material support and/or collaboration that you may consider providing. Cheques may be made payable to Susheg Charitable Trust-Susheg Lifeline. All contributions are tax-exempt under Section 80G of Income Tax Act, 1961 and will be duly acknowledged with a receipt.
Bank Information:
Account Name: Susheg Charitable Trust-Susheg Lifeline
Account No: 520101022731532
IFSC Code: CORP0003506
Address: Corporation Bank, Narmada Building, Falnir Road, Mangaluru- 575 001
Address for Correspondence:
Suicide Lifeline
(A Unit of Susheg Charitable Trust, (Regd.))
2nd Floor, Fortune Building, Falnir Road
Mangaluru- 575 001
Come let’s join hands to save lives.
