A suicide among our loved ones shocks us to the core and we begin to ask why. A suicide among the ‘rest’ we consider a mere statistic.
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About 800000 people commit suicide worldwide every year. That the suicide rate in Dakshina Kannada too is of great concern was confirmed by 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., & Dr. Lavina Noronha conducted in March 2017 as 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.These statistics must concern us. They are our brothers and sisters. It is also a societal concern and a public health crisis.
Understanding the causes for this growing health crisis is important. A street play by the students of Roshni Nilaya provide a sneak peek of some of the causes of suicide. Watch this video
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. The lifeline was launched on on October 1 2017. The primary goal of the Suicide LifeLine is to prevent suicide and promote mental health and well-being.
Each life is precious and we must all do our best to save lives – Take active interest in others, observe, counsel, report if necessary and use all the available infrastructure including the help line to save lives.
