TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Concerned over the spate of suicides reported lately, COOJ Mental Health Foundation is to launch a helpline to offer counseling to people and dissuade them from taking the extreme step.
The landline number will be officially launched on September 3, which marks the World Suicide Prevention Day. The number will also be announced on the very same day.
COOJ Director and Managing Trustee Dr Peter Castelino said the helpline will be open from September 4 onwards for those in emotional stress. “The number of suicides in the recent past is a matter of concern. It needs to be addressed. Through the helpline, we hope to address the issue,” he said.
The helpline calls, which will be open from 3pm to 7pm daily, will be handled by volunteers who are presently undergoing an intensive training program titled ‘mindfulness based active listening’.
Program coordinator Donna Noronha said the training is being imparted by Pune based NGO Connecting India, which also runs a suicide prevention helpline.
“It is a proactive program. The training is to enable them to listen to callers with compassion and in an accepting and non-judgmental way,” she explained.
The association plans to start 24X7 helpline once it gets enough number of volunteers to work in shifts. “We are presently looking out for more volunteers,” she said.
Noronha said they also undertake various programs in schools and colleges to create awareness on the issue.
