Media Release
Mangaluru, Apr 18: Susheg Charitable Trust will organise ‘Give Life a Chance’ a awareness initiative, on April 23 from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm at Roshni Nilaya, Valencia.
Suicide Lifeline, a unit of Susheg Charitable Trust, in association with Roshni Nilaya, School of Social Work, both in Mangaluru, invites everyone to come and participate in the forthcoming event, an awareness initiative, ‘Give Life a Chance’.
The awareness drive will consist of a jumble sale, bake sale, games, food- fun, music, plant sale, mental health screening and much more.
CHOOSE LIFE
Suicide! That word caught your attention, didn't it? The truth is that "suicide" catches everyone's attention. It is the actions that lead up to it that go unnoticed!!
According to the WHO, More than 800 000 people die due to suicide every year. Of these, more than 17% (1,35,000) are from India!
For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population.
Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds.
As much as 77% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Ingestion of pesticide, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of dying by suicide.
A few years ago, the world-over, people were shocked to learn about the nerve-wracking horror - The Blue Whale Challenge ! Around mid-September 2017, the Times of India reported: ‘20 Kendriya Vidyalaya School students, 16 boys and 4 girls of classes 8 and 9, in Belagavi were found with cuts on their hands. Their parents had not noticed the cuts!” The students admitted that they had been inspired by the Blue Whale game....which is a social network phenomenon that is claimed to exist in several countries. The game reportedly consists of a series of 50 tasks assigned to players by administrators...the last one being to die by suicide!!!
“Death is not the Answer”, is a recent book in the market, by Dr Anjali Chhabria .....but what we see is that the world is being influenced more and more by the culture of death!!! "Papa please forgive me, now I don't want to live anymore."
"I did not get the gold medal that you wanted me to get, so why should I live?"
"I couldn't do anything for you. Please forgive me."
These are excerpts from suicide notes of youngsters to those who are 'significant others’ in their lives, parents, elders, teachers and friends.
There is an urgent need to ensure that people in general get motivated and encouraged to CHOOSE LIFE!! This motivation and encouragement has to be a concerted effort!
In the meantime, readers can get into the feel of the Event by keeping their eyes open and see what’s happening around them, such as the following:
Try to recognise suicide warning signs: Majority of those who are contemplating suicide usually give some clues or signs to those around them that show they are troubled. Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide especially if the behaviour is new, has increased or seems related to a painful event, loss or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling a person who is trained to help in such situations.
What are some indicators?
Appearing depressed or sad, talking or writing about death or suicide
Withdrawing from family and friends, preferring to be alone
Feeling hopeless, helpless or trapped
Feeling unreasonably angry or enraged
Experiencing dramatic mood changes
Drug or alcohol abuse
Acting impulsively and/or recklessly
Losing interest in most activities; changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
Performing poorly at work or at school.
Avoid the following
Trying to cheer the person up or telling them to "snap out of it"; assuming that the situation will take care of itself and get resolved.
Being sworn to secret is risky - the rule is – the safety of the person is more important than keeping their secret; avoid leaving the person alone unless they act in a threatening way. In that case leave them and call 108 to assist the person to get to the nearest emergency room.
Suicide can be prevented is the good news!!! If you would like to be part of this effort, here is relevant information:
Those in distress are encouraged to call the Lifeline - 0824-2983444 which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Professionally trained multi-lingual operators with excellent communication skills are the frontline recipients of the distress calls. The call is immediately transferred to a professionally trained Volunteer who responds and assists the caller according to protocol. The entire process remains confidential.
If you would like to be a Volunteer please contact: susheglifeline@gmail.com. Volunteer Training Sessions in the near future will be announced.
Providing a lifeline of emotional support to persons in distress, to prevent suicide, is the need of the hour. Join hands in the Life-saving Challenge and help people to CHOOSE LIFE!!