Phone a friend: Jamshedpur-based suicide prevention NGO offers helpline for distressed callers

The exam season has rung alarm bells in the offices of Jeevan, the state’s only suicide prevention centre based in Jamshedpur.

With hundreds of people taking their lives every year, Jamshedpur has earned the chilling sobriquet of suicide capital. A significant chunk comprises students — as five among the 23 persons who killed themselves in the city last month proves — especially during the exam season or when results are out.

For older ones, Valentine’s Day brush-offs coupled with poor academics can spell a pressure-cooker situation.

In view of annual and board exams that start later this month, Jeevan has tied up with three psychiatrists and psychologists each, professionals associated with either Tata Main Hospital and MGM Medical College and Hospital, to give a sympathetic ear and a way out for those suffering from extreme tension, depression and low self-esteem.

The outfit has approached 50-plus schools and five colleges, asking them setting up stress management cells on campus, and assuring the school management of all counselling-related help from Jeevan volunteers.

A free helpline — (0657) 6453841— open from 6am to 9pm, is something that a student can directly dial.

“We have also requested schools to publish this helpline in the diary that is handed out to every student at the start of the academic year, so that a child knows that he is not alone,” Jeevan director M. Ram said, urging youngsters to “lose their shyness and just call up”.

Jeevan, in fact, is also asking cradles to hurry up and start the counselling cell before the exam season is well and truly on. They are sending posters to schools with messages such as “Think of your parents”, as well as direct ones with the helpline number.

Counselling sessions on-campus will continue till results are out and beyond.

Otherwise, parents and students can approach the Jeevan centre at Maharashtra Hiktari Mandal building, Bistupur. “We have spoken to psychiatrists and psychologists to directly help the mentally ailing through Jeevan. If anyone calls us, we can give referrals,” said Ram.

In Jamshedpur, the suicide endemic touches all strata, with figures zooming every year.

In 2007, 167 people killed themselves. Numbers in the following years showed an alarming hike — 173 people in 2008, 136 in 2009, 200 in 2010 and 206 in 2011. In just one month of 2012, the city has recorded 23 suicides.

“Yes, the numbers are truly tragic. Our volunteer psychiatrists will give services for free where families cannot afford to pay. We also help the students’ community by conducting camps or seminars at intervals,” added the director of the outfit recognised by Ahmedabad-based Befrienders India, a national organisation for suicide prevention.

In short, there’s a friendly voice at the other end of the phone to say ‘don’t be a statistic, embrace jeevan’.

How else can a depressed adolescent open up?

Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com