Being ALIVE is different from truly LIVING LIFE. All of us are alive but do we really live? This question, I asked myself, once upon a time, when I was much younger in age. I insisted on an answer, I struggled and wrestled within myself, and there trickled drop by drop, word by word, the answer…not just an
answer but the honest and realistic one…that did not dwell in the past but that opened the gate to the future…..a future that leads me to Live Life, Enjoy Life and Value Life.
Looking back…..I asked myself was the path easy, to Live Life, Enjoy Life and Value it? Was the path easy??? Now… I look back and smile through it and say to myself “I CONQUERED” But back then it was a struggle, looked like a never-ending struggle, till I accepted and worked at each and every obstacle that came my way……………… Today I can proudly say that I “Live Life, Enjoy Life and Value Life. Nothing, nobody not even I, can harm it nor destroy it” With this conviction, I joined the Suicide Lifeline (a unit of Susheg Charitable Trust (Regd)) that was established in Mangalore in October 2017. Our Motto is “Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors and Honouring the Taken by Never Giving-up HOPE.”
The world celebrates “World Suicide Prevention Day” on 10 September, every year. By emphasizing Suicide Prevention, we celebrate LIFE, respecting every human being. There are a number of persons battling bouts of sadness, despair, hopelessness, emotional roller-coaster rides, anxiety about the future and much more on a daily basis. We believe every life is important, and precious and has to be valued. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to listen to and assist anyone experiencing a rough time in life irrespective of age, gender, or religion. We are just a phone call away.
Creating awareness of this community health crisis is the need of the hour. With this objective in mind, we have conducted sessions on coping with stress, mental health and wellbeing, building resilience, handling emotions and related topics in Schools and Colleges. If you are an administrator and want us
to reach out to your students, kindly contact us at susheglifeline@gmail com.
If you or someone you know is in distress, please call or encourage them to call our helpline number (0824) 2983444 immediately. Remember, Suicide is a problem, not a solution! Do not let despair destroy your dreams. There is hope for everyone. Every life matters and WE CARE!
Suicide
According to the WHO, “globally, close to 800,000 people die by suicide every year; that’s one person every 40 seconds. For each suicide, there are more than 20 suicide attempts.
While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) is well established, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. Risk factors include experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, a relationship break-up, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, violence, abuse, and conflict or other humanitarian emergencies. The strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt.
Suicide is an emerging and serious public health issue in India. However, it is preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. The suicide mortality rate per 100,000 population in 2016 was 16.5, while the global average was 10.5 per 100,000. The most vulnerable are the 15-29-year-olds, the elderly, and persons with special needs.
The Mental Healthcare Act, of 2017 decriminalizes suicide, assuring adequate medical relief to those attempting it. This is a landmark development ensuring dignity and a humane perspective on the issue. The National Mental Health Programme and Health and Wellness Centres under the Ayushman Bharat Program are efforts to provide quality care at the primary health care level. Deaddiction centres and rehabilitation services are also available.
A strengthened system for quality data on suicides (attempted and deaths) from vital registration, hospital-based systems and other surveys for formulating policies and subsequent monitoring are effective suicide prevention initiatives. Strengthening life-skill training and counselling in educational institutions, workplaces etc. further supplement prevention policies.
In India, pesticides, firearms, self-hanging, jumping off bridges and in front of trains are the major means by which suicide is attempted. Policies limiting access to pesticides, and firearms and putting barriers on bridges and railway platforms could be some of the preventive options. In addition, counselling services and creating destigmatized platforms for discussion around these taboo subjects could be considered.
A comprehensive suicide prevention strategy within the framework of the National Mental Health Policy of India 2014, with effective multisectoral collaboration is imperative.”
World Suicide Prevention Day
According to Wikipedia, “World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to host World Suicide Prevention Day. In 2011 an estimated 40 countries held awareness events to mark the occasion. According to WHO’s Mental Health Atlas released in 2014, no low-income country reported having a national suicide prevention strategy, while less than 10% of lower-middle-income countries, and almost a third of upper-middle and high-income countries had.”
“Creating hope through action” is the triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021 – 2023. This theme is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us.
In keeping with this theme, Susheg Suicide Lifeline is conducting several awareness programmes from a Walkathon to seminars and even a reel competition. They have issued a call for participation. Here is a glimpse.
You can save a life, by just participating! Do it for those who need it!
About the author
This is an article by a Volunteer at Susheg Suicide Lifeline (Tel: 0824 2983444) to bring about awareness about Suicide and its prevention on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day 2023, which is celebrated on 10 September 2023.
