GIVE LIFE A CHANCE
An awareness and fund-raising drive was jointly organized by Suicide Lifeline and Centre for Human Transformation, Roshni Nilaya School of Social work on April 23rd at Roshni Nilaya auditorium. Dr. Ms Juliet C.J., Principal of School of Social Work was the chief Guest who inaugurated the day’s events at 10AM.
Mrs. Usha Rao, Coordinator of Suicide Lifeline in her opening remarks said, “Although we hear and read about suicide every day, there is a lot discomfort talking about suicide. There is an urgent need to create awareness that suicide is preventable. Talking about the history of Suicide Lifeline, she added that in 2016 a survey of 1016 students 14-24 revealed that 4.52% of students had a history of a suicide attempt and 6.79% had suicidal ideation. It was after these startling results that Susheg Charitable Trust along with St. Agnes College, St. Aloysius College and Roshni Nilaya, School of Social Work envisioned the need for establishing a lifeline of support. A number of concerned citizens also joined hands in the efforts and Suicide Lifeline was established under the aegis of Susheg Charitable Trust in 2017.
She further added that even though more than 2,650 distressed callers have been assisted by the lifeline, a steep decline in the number of calls over the last two years has been a source of concern and therefore, the “Give Life a Chance” was being organized to publicise the lifeline number (0824) 2983444, to educate the public about this mental health crisis and to create awareness and destigmatize suicide.
Dr. Ms. Juliet C.J., the Chief Guest of the event in her message said “Life is very beautiful but sometimes we lose the beauty of it because we dwell on the past or focus on the future. It is important to enjoy the moment and be in the present. She stressed on the need to strengthen mental health of families, especially the children who are losing tracks. She further added that Roshni Nilaya, School of Social Work was proud to partner with Suicide Lifeline in addressing the crisis of suicide in and around Mangalore and will support such activities of the lifeline in the future.
Free mental health screening and intervention was given by students of M.ScCounseling under the guidance of Dr. Rosa Mathew Ramapuram and Mrs. Ratna Pinto.A raffle draw, plant sale, Bake Sale and a jumble sale was held from 10am to 5 PM to raise funds for Suicide Lifeline activities including awareness and training programs. The Prizes for the Raffle draw were sponsored by CASK and were handed over by Dr. Anand Pereira, Dr. Derek Lobo and Mrs. Patsy Lobo. Mrs. Hilda Pais compeered the inaugural function and Mrs. Mercy Menezes proposed a vote of thanks. The day’s events ended with a beautiful rendition “Be a Candle” requesting everyone present to light up someone’s life.
