Space 09

Maithri participated in Space 09, a two day seminar conducted by the Department of Health and Social Welfare, Govt. of Kerala, on Sep 17 and 18. The aim of the seminar was to better understand the risk factors and to evolve strategic plans for effective intervention in the area of increasing suicides among adolescents and children. The two day seminar was organized jointly with UNICEF and NIMHANS, Bangalore involving stakeholders from departments of health, social welfare, education, local self government, media and NGOs.
As an NGO that has been working in the area of suicide prevention for the past 14 years, Maithri shared its experiences, especially with respect to the outreach programmes it has conducted among the school children of Ernakulam. Maithri's work, and its contributions to the deriving of the action plan, were appreciated by the organizers. We hope to continue working with the Government in realising the action plan on the ground.

Time of suicide

When do people commit suicide the most? For Maithri, this question has a relevance to its mode of functioning also. At present, Maithri works from 10 am to 7 pm. If suicidal thoughts are more in the night, Maithri needs to work longer hours. The only constraint at present is the number of volunteers. With the current volunteer strength, Maithri is unable to stretch itself further. More volunteers, longer working hours, reach out to more people.

Stress at work leading to suicides

The news item regarding the rate of suicides among French telecom workers made one think of the situation we have here in Kerala.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8252547.stm

Studies are yet to be done on the suicides attributed to work-related stresses among white collar workers in Kerala. What do you feel? Is workplace turning people away from life? Are we there yet?