*Swati Shinde Gole* *3 Sep 2011*
*PUNE* : From 80 calls per day in 2010 to 150 calls this year, Connecting, an NGO that works for suicide prevention which also runs a helpline, has experienced a massive surge in the number of people with suicidal tendencies. According to the volunteers at the group, the callers range from 12 to 80 years, though a large number of them are usually youngsters. The three main reasons that prompt these callers to think of the extreme step are worthlessness, helplessness and hopelessness or combination of all three. According to the data available with Connecting, around 3,500 people, in need of emotional help, have called the helpline so far. "There are several reasons why people call us. The age group is also varied, but mostly, they are youngsters or senior citizens. With youngsters, problems range from not being able to study to not scoring good marks, relationship break-ups and even not finding a good partner. On the other hand, with the elderly, the major issue is loneliness," said Adithy, a psychologist who volunteers for Connecting. As the number of calls went up, the NGO also had to look for more volunteers. Currently, the organisation has 35 people taking the calls. "The volunteers are skilled. They are trained to listen with focused attention and in compassionate and non-judgmental way, as the callers range from all ages, both genders and varied socio-economic backgrounds. The volunteers speak English, Hindi and Marathi and have access to a referral list of relevant mental health professionals and social work organisations that may be recommended to the caller," Adithy said. At the time when the helpline started functioning, Connecting received just 472 calls between June 2008 and June 2009. Between June 2009 and June 2010, the calls rose to 1,102, while 1,800 calls were made between June 2010 and June 2011. "When we receive a call, we try and listen. The first step is to try and encourage them to talk more and more; it gives the callers a feeling that there's someone to listen to them and share their apathy. As they become more and more open, their distress level comes down. This helps the callers take two steps back and not think of the extreme step," said Stella Bhagwat, a psychologist. According to Bobby Zachariah, a volunteer with the helpline, "the rise in the number of calls could mainly be due the awareness on the helpline. A lot of people in distress now know that there is such a service available and that there is a counsellor to listen to them and help solve their problems." Zachariah has counselled individuals who have undergone break-ups in their relationships, mental illness distress and even problems in marriage. The helpline of is functional between 2 pm and 8 pm on 9922001122, and 18002094353 which is toll free. One can also write to connecting at [email protected]. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/pune/30109374_1_suicide-helpline-callers-range-volunteers -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
