Sunday Times 2
Sumithrayo asks you to ‘Take a minute – Change a life’ this World Suicide Prevention Day
View(s):‘Take a minute – Change a life’ is the theme of a major programme that Sumithrayo is organising from 5-8 p.m. at Independence Square, Colombo 7, on September 10 (next Sunday) to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day. The programme, being held to motivate people to reduce the number of suicides further, is open to the public.
The evening’s activities will include a dramatic presentation by the Sri Jayewardenepura University’s Rotaract Club; compelling video-cuts from survivors; and a panel discussion by an eminent team. The panellists are Chief Guest and World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Sri Lanka, Dr. Razia Pendse, Thirupathy Suveendran from the WHO Colombo Office; Dr. Velauthapillai Jegaruban from the Kilinochchi Hospital’s Addiction Centre; and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Neil Fernando.
The panel discussion will be followed by questions and answers from the public to motivate more people to take a minute and help someone who may be vulnerable. The winning entries of an art competition for youth organized by Sumithrayo to mark the day will also be on display, with the winners being awarded their prizes during the programme.
The activities will come to an end at 8 p.m. with candles being lit to remember lost loved ones and for survivors of suicide and also to support suicide prevention. In 1995, Sri Lanka had the highest rate of suicides in the world. The actions of a Presidential Task Force set up to mitigate the situation helped reduce the number significantly, from 47 per 100,000 earlier to 16 per 100,000 by 2014. However, suicide numbers are still high and on average, 8-10 persons die every single day of the year. For each person who takes his/her own life, at least 10 others attempt to end their lives.
Globally, 800,000 suicides are reported annually and this number is higher than those killed by war or homicide. This means that there is a suicide every 40 seconds. Sumithrayo, meanwhile, has been providing emotional support to people in crisis for 42 years, since 1974. About 150 distressed persons contact the Sumithrayo Office each week, through visits, telephone calls, letters or e-mail and find comfort in talking about their worries, fears and anxieties.
Here, kind and caring volunteers give of their time, patience and expertise to provide some consolation to the distressed. Sumithrayo is open 365 days of the year from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and anyone may walk in or telephone during these hours to seek assistance. While confidentiality is assured, the service is completely free.
Devoted to responding to people in crisis and preventing suicide, focusing on empathetic active listening and non-judgmental responses, Sumithrayo volunteers endeavour to take every person in crisis seriously. The goal of their befriending is to empower the caller to make life-enhancing choices.
Sumithrayo provides Confidential Emotional Support and is a free service, open 365 days (including holidays) – from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please call: 011-2692909, 011-2683555 or 011-2696666. Visit: 60B, Horton Place, Colombo 7. Email: sumithra@sumithrayo.org