Before I start, it is important to know that on Sep 10 is “World Suicide Prevention Day”. The “International Association for Suicide Prevention” in collaboration with World Health Organisation, uses this day to call attention to Suicide as a leading cause of premature & preventable death.
We (Medico Pastoral Association with Crysallis) here in Bangalore, are using
This is happening on a 3 stage process, where in Stage 1, we sensitize children in schools & young adults in colleges across Bangalore about the subject & ask them to talk about it, ask/seek help in case of distress & look at Life as an opportunity to enjoy it than otherwise. We also held Placard making activity across the city involving students to come up with positive things about life & what you they do in case of distress; which is to ask for help or just talk.
The activity happened under the supervision of number of volunteers (like you & me) in diff schools & colleges. I was involved myself with coordinating between 3 schools in JP Nagar. Have to admit that it is a very humbling experience to be involved with children & see them being creative on a sensitive subject as this is.
Let me introduce you to my friend’s (Karthik) mail to us which speaks for itself.
Hi All,
When I initially heard of the next event, I looked at it with a question mark for it not only clashed with my personal opinion but I also was skeptical about the response it would get. However, I knew it was a good cause and whatever help I could provide, I would. With that in mind and my usual bonhomie, I walked into the fun filled training session in my trademark greys to find a whole bunch of enthusiastic and energetic volunteers checking each other out!
As we went through the slide presentation which was being provided by the lady (I’m not good with names but I think it was Lata), I suddenly realized how everything becomes so meaningless when shown in numbers. A person is treasured only as a number except by those in their circle, their family, friends, relatives and acquaintances… they mean something only in that circle … and to most in the meeting who didn’t know me, I was the same, just a number and vice versa. Talk about perspective…
Of course Diana had recruited the very well organized slave driver (joking! She I think did a fabulous job) Madhu who shaped out the team and wished everyone good night till the last day of the event. It was great to see the number of volunteers present and with the belief that they worked with.
As the training sessions and the practice session at Diana’s place went on, I slowly did understand the way people looked at the topic, the various conflicts that work internally within each one of us, the perception of individualized alone-ness. It is with a burden everyone believes that is unique only to themselves that they feel that they are not understood and never can be also. So while some provided glimpses of a lonely road, or feeling alone in a theatre or not being understood by family even when among them, it is for me to realize that this is a temporary phase, with a lot to look forward to in the future.
As part of the volunteers who were assigned to colleges and had to be at Mount Carmel College, it was (like I’m sureworking with the children was too) a totally different experience. A certain trend unearthed which we all understand yet fail to acknowledge, reasons and responses to those who try or call for help through various means which they many a time themselves do not realize or understand. From dowry to parental pressure, from friends to societal influence, from exams to marriage; the perception and reasons for taking such drastic measures seem to bring out the same ideas in the minds of people. I have always worked with the idea that children are more receptive, they not only listen better but are more creative too; we only need to put in time to explain things in the way they want to listen to us. To realise and to understand at earlier the age helps immensely, it is a worthy cause to work towards. Great going!
As the training sessions and the practice session at Diana’s place went on, I slowly did understand the way people looked at the topic, the various conflicts that work internally within each one of us, the perception of individualized alone-ness. It is with a burden everyone believes that is unique only to themselves that they feel that they are not understood and never can be also. So while some provided glimpses of a lonely road, or feeling alone in a theatre or not being understood by family even when among them, it is for me to realize that this is a temporary phase, with a lot to look forward to in the future.
As part of the volunteers who were assigned to colleges and had to be at Mount Carmel College, it was (like I’m sure working with the children was too) a totally different experience. A certain trend unearthed which we all understand yet fail to acknowledge, reasons and responses to those who try or call for help through various means which they many a time themselves do not realize or understand. From dowry to parental pressure, from friends to societal influence, from exams to marriage; the perception and reasons for taking such drastic measures seem to bring out the same ideas in the minds of people. I have always worked with the idea that children are more receptive, they not only listen better but are more creative too; we only need to put in time to explain things in the way they want to listen to us. To realise and to understand at earlier the age helps immensely, it is a worthy cause to work towards. Great going!
What I did pick up from the event:
- A better understanding of why people take extreme measures.
- A few tips on how to help them
- A few friends
- Memories
It was one of those moments where you start thinking. Which shakes you up & says “Wake Up”.
A heavy weekend should I add.
No comments:
Post a Comment