Someone to talk to on the other side of the line
“What you see is the very tip of a massive iceberg,” said Jetha Devapura, Founder and Chairman of the CCC Foundation at a news conference last week. “That tip is suicide. Underneath the surface lies a massive layer of anxiety, stress, and depression.” Mr. Devapura was speaking at an event held to launch the 1333 Bikeathon, an initiative to raise awareness about a very prevalent issue in Sri Lanka.
The CCC Foundation (CCC stands for Courage, Compassion and Commitment) operates a helpline popularly known as the CCC line fronted by Chief Ambassador Kumar Sangakkara. It offers a free telephone counselling service for people facing difficulties or in need of someone to talk to about their problems.
The hotline, which was established a few years ago, has rapidly picked up pace as a reliable and confidential alternative to more drastic measures by those considering suicide or self harm. “When we started out we were barely receiving three calls a day,” remembered Devapura. “But now we receive over a hundred per day, and over 2000 calls a month.” Many of these are received from the Western province-“Not because the people in other provinces are happier,” he noted. “But because the CCC line is more widely known in Colombo.”
It is in an effort to rectify this situation that CCC will begin its 1333 Bikeathon from today (August 31). “We’re hoping that by cycling around Sri Lanka more people will become aware of the helpline, and the services it offers,” shared Devapura. In fulfilling its mission of cycling around Sri Lanka, covering as much populated area as possible, the cyclists will traverse 1333 km, beginning from the Independence Square, through major cities like Anuradhapura, Chilaw, Kilinochchi, Jaffna, Monaragala, Hambantota and Galle, returning to Colombo (at the Nugegoda Supermarket car park) on September 13. The 1333 Bikeathon will also coincide with the World Suicide Prevention Day September 10 in Galle.
In Galle the cyclists will be joined by star cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, who will cycle with the group to the Main Bus Stand and then later, to the Samanala Ground.
The eventual goal is to raise the number of calls, and contact made, to 5000 by 2015, shared Devapura.
For further details please contact the CCC Foundation on 0777701273 or visit www.cccfoundation.org.au