THREE KEYS TO PREVENTING SUICIDE

1. EDUCATION: Many of the suicides that take place in the villages occur because people are trapped, and they can see no way out. A woman may be trapped with a violent husband, a man may be trapped in debt to moneylenders. Both are trapped in the poverty trap, and neither have the education to escape. For their children education may offer better prospects and Shantidhara, in its local area, is working to provide that. But for the adults of today who are facing hopelessness, it is important to bring them the knowledge that there are some options, some services, and some support. In the picture, Mr. Maria Jojayya Addagatla, Founder and Director of Shantidhara Social Service Society, discusses the problem of suicide in the villages, facilitates the parents of the children at the Shantidhara hostel in airing and discussing their problems. In a small ceremony, using candles, they swear that they will not take this way out of their difficulties. An Easter Sunday, Anniversary and - believe it or not - St Patrick's Day Party (there's a story behind that on the Shantidhara Blog) all rolled into one! The event was possible with the aid of sponsorship. However, ongoing reinforcement is essential. Until we can fund a better solution, occasional meetings convened for whatever purpose can also be used to educate the village people regarding alternative courses of action and contacts to make in the event that they are feeling suicidal.

2. COUNSELLING: The lack of locally available expertise in counselling, advising, reassuring and calming people who are at a very low ebb. Villages are small and scattered. Often there is very little local or community leadership. A counsellor, perhaps a volunteer, based locally and covering a range of villages by regular visitation as well as being available by phone as a sort of 'helpline', could keep his or her finger on the pulse of the villages and identify 'at risk' cases, enabling better monitoring and as a result reduce the incidence of suicide. Of course such a counsellor, even as a volunteer, requires some level of transport, subsistence and resourcing. We are seeking your help in funding such a service.

3. PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE: Often it is a matter of sheer poverty. Rather like Sania, people are committing because of problems that we could solve with small money that we would spend on a few beers, or on an extra shirt that we might wear once! Ownership of a goat might be enough to get a despairing farmer out of debt - by selling some of the milk - and on the way to a bearable life.

Can you help, even a little? Please click here How You Can Help .

Thank You. 

For more information about the work of Shantidhara Social Service Society, please visit our general website www.shantidhara.org or contact us at shantidhara@yahoo.com