‘Walk for Life’ on Sept 10

The Suicide Lifeline will organise a ‘Walk for Life’ to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, to sensitise the community and to create awareness on suicide and its prevention.

Speaking to reporters, social activist Dr Laveen Noronha said the walk would commence from Light House Hill Road in front of the main gate of St Aloysius College at
7 am and will culminate at Nehru Maidan.

Students from the college in and around Mangaluru, NGOs and concerned citizens will join the walk for life holding placards. There will be a placard contest on suicide prevention for students and prizes will be awarded for the most creative and educative placards.

She said DC Sasikanth Senthil will flag off the walkathon from Lighthouse Hill and suicide survivors Shilpa of Hallimane Rottis and Simon will release the balloons.

Commissioner of Police T R Suresh will address the gathering at Nehru Maidan at 8.30 am, which will be followed by a short programme on suicide prevention for 10 minutes by PG students from Roshni Nilaya.

To create awareness in the community, automobile stickers will be issued in public interest by Spearhead Media and Publications Pvt Ltd Managing Editor Brian Fernandes and Abdul Rauf Puthige of Vishwas Bawa Builders.

She said the suicide lifeline is established under the aegis of Susheg Charitable Trust with support from St Agnes College, St Aloysius College and Roshni Nilaya, and it has become a ray of hope for more than 60 callers since its inception in October 2017.

Suicide prevention, promotion of mental health, creating awareness, training volunteers, sensitising the community and publishing literature on mental wellness are the objectives of the lifeline.

Around 25 trained volunteers are attending distress calls 24X7. The team facilitators have also addressed administrators, teachers, and students in and around Mangaluru on mental health and well-being. Suicide Lifeline is 0824-2983444.