Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Oct 2: In a move to bring down the rapidly increasing number of suicides in and around the city, Susheg Charitable Trust formally launched a round-the-clock suicide helpline on Sunday, October 1.
Dr K C Ballal formally inaugurated the lifeline by calling the helpline centre. Fr John Fernandes, and Loretta Pinto, trustees of Susheg Charitable Trust, and Dr Lavina Noronha were presented.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Ballal said, “India ranks high in suicide and attempt to suicide. The count is more in the southern states. Rich-poor, literate-illiterate are committing suicide for various reasons. A person who decides to commit suicide shows many signs before the act. When a person says, 'I am going to end my life' or 'I do not have any hope in life', we are just neglect it or make fun of that person. But nobody tries to know what the person is really going through.”
“Depression is the main cause for suicide. Only close people can find locate the symptoms of a person who is planning to commit suicide. Majority of students and youth commit suicide because of inferiority complex. So they all need to be confident to face problems and find solutions for the same. Suicide lifeline is a very big step towards saving lives. This venture will help people to increase their confidence and think about living life in a better way,” he added.
Fr John Fernandes said, “Suicide lifeline will work like a light in one’s life. We all know that everyone has to die some day. But suicide is not a natural death. It is equal to killing a life. So we should not encourage these types of deaths. Depression and passing through a hard time is a common phenomenon. Suicide is not the solution. It will creates more tension to others, especially family members and dependents. If anyone is feeling sad or depressed in life, please call this suicide lifeline. Our staff will fill confidence in them and prevnt them from committing suicide."
Before the inauguration, students of Roshani Nilaya played a skit on rescue of people attempting suicide.
Trustee Loretta Pinto welcomed the gathering and Roshan Monteiro rendered the vote of thanks. Brian Fernandes compered the event.
The Suicide lifeline is the venture of Susheg Charitable trust. Its office is situated at Fortune Building, Falnir.
The helpline number is 0824 2983444.