‘Walk for Life’ walkathon by Mangaluru’s Suicide Lifeline on Sept 10th

Team Udayavani, Sep 9, 2018, 4:30 PM IST

Mangaluru: To mark the ‘World Suicide Prevention Day, the city’s Suicide Lifeline 0824-2983444, is set to hold a ‘Walk for Life’ walkathon to sensitise the community and to create awareness on suicide and its prevention on September 10^th.

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, informed social activist Dr Laveen Noronha addressing the media.

Students from the colleges 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.

The walkathon will be flagged off Lighthouse Hill by DK DC Sasikanth Senthil 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.

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 to create awareness in the community.

Dr. Norhona said that the suicide lifeline was established in October 2017, 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.

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

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.