Sumithrayo playing big role in bringing down rate of suicides
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Jomo Uduman
Sri Lanka is currently in between 25-29 in the world suicide ranking, according to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, it was revealed by Sri Lanka Sumithrayo at a media briefing on August 27 at the Mel Medura adjoining Sumithrayo at Horton Place, Colombo.
In 1995 Sri Lanka had the highest suicide rate in the world at 47 out of 100,000 people. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy developed by the Presidential Task Force in 1997 introduced an action plan aiming to reduce easy access to lethal methods, educate the public on the risks of pesticides and create a culture which discourages suicides.
By 2008 the suicide rate in the country had come down by over 57%, a major public health accomplishment mostly due to intervention by stakeholders like Sumithrayo.
Established in 1947, the Sumithrayo service has been assisting people to explore their feelings without fear or prejudice under the guidance of Sumithrayo volunteers -befrienders.
“Even though the number of suicidal deaths decreased in the past two decades, the number of attempted suicides had increased which indicates the social attitude towards suicide hasn’t changed since 1996,” revealed Jomo Uduman, trainer and volunteer at Sumithrayo.
Rejection in a relationship, unbearable grief, dependency on alcohol or other drugs, a terminal illness, history of earlier attempts of self-harming, depression, mental illness, poor coping skills and other psychological and social forces are identified as contributing factors to the risk of suicide. Choosing to die by suicide is often due to untreated depression and absence of a support system.
Sumithrayo proposed that media can play a proactive role in helping to prevent suicide by publishing or presenting information on mental health services and helplines.
“Research shows that inappropriate reporting of suicide may lead to imitative or ‘copycat’ behaviour. For example, if vulnerable groups such as people with mental health problems and young people are provided with details about the method of suicide used, it can lead to more deaths using the same method,” Mr. Uduman elaborated.
Sumithrayo is open from 9 a.m to 8 p.m daily. Anyone who needs support can call 0112692909, 0112683555, 0112696666 or visit 60B Horton Place, Colombo 7 or email sumithra@sumithrayo.org.
| Marking World Suicide Prevention Day | |
| Sumithrayo will commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day 2019 on September 10. The programme themed ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide’ at the Mahaweli Centre, Colombo from 3p.m to 6 p.m. includes a series of activities followed by an informative panel discussion. The event is open to all. |