Jeevan expands reach to combat rising suicides in Jamshedpur

To observe World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10

Jamshedpur: In a continued mission to battle the escalating suicide rates in the city, Jeevan Suicide Prevention Centre, an affiliate of the esteemed international organization Befrienders Worldwide based in the UK, has been at the forefront of suicide prevention efforts since its inception in 2006.

With a network of 16 centers across India, Jeevan has been a beacon of hope for those in despair, offering emotional support to over 11,000 individuals grappling with mental health challenges in the last 17 years. Remarkably, their unwavering dedication has saved approximately 700 lives in the town.

Addressing a press meet, Dr Jeoraj Jain, director, Jeevan said that this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day carries the theme “Creating Hope through Action,” reflecting the organization’s commitment to proactive measures and community engagement.

During the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeevan’s volunteers exhibited remarkable dedication by extending their working hours from 8 to 15 hours a day and providing remote support from home. The number of callers surged nearly fourfold, underscoring the critical role played by the organization during the crisis. However, as normal services resumed post-pandemic, a troubling trend emerged. While the number of suicides had temporarily decreased, it began to rise again after April 2023. Alarmingly, the number of callers remained low, signaling an urgent need for heightened awareness and outreach efforts.

To address this concerning situation, Jeevan has taken emergency measures, particularly on the publicity front: Collaborating with local administration to spread awareness about their helpline numbers. Initiating efforts to protect their hoardings from unauthorized advertisements and refurbishing school boards. Introducing new hoardings. Extending their helpline numbers to low-income areas with the support of Tata Steel.

Preceding World Suicide Prevention Day, competitions were organized among students from 21 schools and colleges to promote the idea that suicides are preventable and depression is treatable. This initiative saw enthusiastic participation, with students engaging in activities such as songwriting, creative writing, and poster making.

“ Jeevan conducted workshops in educational institutions, including Arka Jain University, Govind Vidyalaya, and XITE Institution, to educate students about suicide prevention and mental health. This year, Jeevan, in collaboration with local schools, organized seven awareness rallies across the town to highlight the importance of suicide prevention,” said Gurpreet Bhatia, deputy director, Jeevan.

Durga Rao, deputy director, Jeevan said that Despite initial improvements in the suicide rate, the town has witnessed a worrying increase since April 2023, with the highest recorded number of 29 suicides in July and 26 in August. This highlights the urgent need for intervention to address deteriorating mental health conditions. In terms of callers seeking help, Jeevan assisted 769 individuals last year, compared to 748 the previous year. Given the increased publicity and heightened mental health concerns in the town, the organization anticipates receiving around 900 calls this year.

Jeevan’s efforts will culminate in a final program on September 10th, where they will recognize individuals, institutions, and organizations that have actively supported their mission to prevent suicides. SSP Prabhat Kumar has graciously consented to be the Chief Guest, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in improving mental health.