According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded over 1.53 lakh suicides, an estimated 418 daily suicides in 2020. This amounts to a suicide mortality rate (per lakh population) of 11.3 in 2020, as compared to 10.4 in 2019. This is the highest number of suicides in the country in a decade and is the highest in the world.In spite of the numbers, it is a crisis no one talks about. There is hardly any media or political discourse about suicide in India (except when people like actors Sushant Singh Rajput or Vaishali Takkar die), and, in most cases such as farmers’ suicides, the emergency is often politicised or it remains a bleak statistic in government files.
One of the pressing issues adding to the rising number of suicide cases in the country is the lack of attention towards mental health issues. The stigma surrounding anxiety, depression, and other issues prevent people from seeking help or opening up.
Lifeline Foundation is a registered, voluntary, non-profit organization based in Kolkata since 1996, working in the field of suicide prevention and mental health . Lifeline Foundation is a chapter of Befrienders India, affiliated to the Befrienders Worldwide, U.K. We are entirely a volunteer run organization. “We have a stringent selection process and our volunteers are well trained in providing crisis line support as per international standards . We are also associated with the International Association for Suicide Prevention.” said one of the spokesperson.
The spokesperson added, “It is our constant endeavour to remove the stigma around mental health problems so that more and more people reach out to seek help. We run two free and confidential tele helplines (033-40447437 & 9088030303) available on all days from 10 AM to 10 PM for callers who may be distressed, depressed or suicidal. Additionally, we conduct outreach programs with educational institutions, public and government bodies etc. We have been associated with Kolkata Police and Metro Railways ( our posters are there at 8 Metro Stations across Kolkata) to aid in efforts at Suicide Prevention.”
The 20th Befrienders India National Conference is being hosted by Lifeline Foundation in Kolkata on 3rd, 4th and 5th February 2023. The inauguration of the Conference was held at the Auditorium of The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, The conference will have participants from 13 other similar centres across India and Sri Lanka
The theme for this 3-Day Conference is: ‘Celebrating Life in the City of Joy’. More than 120 delegates from Befrienders affiliated centres have confirmed their participation. The conference from 3rd to 5th February 2023 will help us enhance knowledge, adopt best practices, thus upskilling the expertise we use to deal with distressed callers .
Helpline Numbers: 033-40447437 & 9088030303
