Suicide is global phenomenon. It occurs all over the world and can almost affect any age group. One person dies due to suicide every 40 seconds. For every 1 suicide 25 people make a suicide attempt. 135 people are affected by each suicide death. This equates to 108 million people bereaved by suicide worldwide every year.
The Nagpur city is slowly becoming the suicide capital for Maharashtra. Recent report says that in Nagpur city, every day five persons abruptly end their lives. In last year more than 1500 people died due to suicides. Many people do it by jumping in to the water bodies like Gandhi Sagar Lake, Ambazari Lake, Futala Lake Etc.
From January 2006 to October 2016, as many as 1,313 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra’s Wardha District. In 2015 alone, 164 farmers committed suicide and these are official government documented numbers.
We also know that Suicides are Preventable even if the numbers are alarming. No matter how small it is, we can take effective measures to prevent the Suicides. We can work together to prevent them. We all have roles to play and collectively address the challenges presented by the current society. Hence, Nirvana Socials organized awareness activities for World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September 2018.
The following activities were undertaken in the two districts in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra
Wardha
We organized street play in a village Nandora Dafre, Dist.Wardha on Farmer’s Suicide Prevention and risk factor leading to suicides e.g. addiction. Almost 100-150 villagers benefitted by the awareness campaign.
Nirvana Socials in collaboration with Ambedkar College of Social work scheduled street play for underprivileged community of the slum area in Wardha district i.e. Padhpanagar (Shantinagar ), Grampanchayat Umri Meghe, Tal. Wardha, Dist. Wardha. 100-120 adults, women and youth participated in the activity.
Nagpur
In collaboration with Tirpude College of Social work, Nagpur, Nirvana Socials organized awareness program on 12th September 2018 titled “Jump in conversation” so as to motivate people to get into conversations rather than jumping in lakes and ending their precious life. 70-80 students participated in the workshop. Dr. Ranjan Solanki ( Assistant Professor, AIIMS Nagpur, MD community Medicine & Masters in clinical psychology ) was guest speaker for the workshop and she took the opportunity to give insights about the ever increasing problem of Suicide in our community. She motivated youth to love their own self, Jump in conversation to help self and others in difficult times of life. Dr. Solanki guided with unique techniques on how to reduce stress, anxiety in our day-to-day life. Professor Dr. Swati Dharmadhikari preceded the program by encouraging students to endeavor positive approach towards life. Professor Dr. Kabiraj coordinated the whole program at Tirpude College of social work and motivated students to approach the community and help them. Nirvana Socials’s Program Manager Miss. Shahista Abdul Sattar shared the story of Suicide Victims & their family” and how suicide does not end pain but just transfers it. Professor Miss. Shilpa Jibhenkar played a crucial role in organizing the program and making it successful.
International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) is the largest organization dedicated to suicide prevention and to the alleviation of the effects of suicide. It has members in more than 50 countries. IASP listed the activities undertaken by various organization from all over the world for World suicide Prevention Day 2018. Nirvana Socials was honored to be listed by IASP on their website.
Leave a Reply