KOCHI: Suicidal rates in Kerala have been consistently on the rise, with a staggering 26 persons dying every day. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that each year approximately one million people die from suicides ie one death every 40 seconds. And in India where suicide is the third major cause of death, there are not enough organisations yet to battle the problem.Often people with suicidal tendency just need to have someone beside them to have an open talk. But there is a dearth of people who are willing to listen to them. Thus Maithri, a non-profit voluntary NGO has been working for the lonely, depressed, suicidal and people in distress since 1995. They have been providing free and confidential emotional support to them, 365 days of the year. “Suicide is multifaceted. People don’t generally commit self murder on a single cause. Here we try to explore the causes and let them talk freely,” says Rajesh Pillai, administrator of Maithri, and an advocate. According to Pillai, most of those who call do so on account of a relationship issue they are facing. “Problems with one’s spouse, in-laws, lover and the like. Financial problems are also common,” says Pillai, who has been working with Maithri for the past 11 years. The organisation offers emotional support, and tries to assuage the fears of the callers.The volunteers who serve as councillors at this non-profit organisation come from all walks of life. From advocates to government servants to homemakers, Maithri encourages participation from all. Though each of them are chosen with care. “The one quality we look for in volunteers is the ability to listen to people patiently,” says Pillai. In fact there are no psychiatrists in Maithri, he adds. “Our volunteers don’t dole out any advice. They merely listen. That is what the callers/visitors need.”In order to reach out to the younger population, the organisation conducts ‘outreach’ programmes and seminars in different schools around the city.“During SSLC result time, we have our SSLC help line which are open two days before the result day,” says Rajesh. 30 per cent of the callers were anxious parents and teachers last year, he adds. Interestingly, the male to female ratio for suicides in the state has been 7:3.“This trend of men resorting to suicide more than women is because men tend to suppress their emotional self, and do not give vent to their feelings. Their ego prevents them from doing so. And often their methods of self murder is lethal.”While women mostly use milder methods like consuming sleeping pills, cutting of their veins and so on, men tend to adopt more serious ways to end their life.This organisation not only offers help to those with suicidal tendencies, but also to those who are lonely and depressed under various circumstances.Maithri can be contacted on 0484-2540530 or you could write to them at [email protected].
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