Connecting, a city-based NGO working in the field of suicide prevention, is completing two years of its helpline service on Thursday. With special focus on awareness programmes in schools and colleges, the helpline is receiving increased number of calls after the launch of its toll free number.

From 472 calls during the previous year, the number of calls has increased to 1573 this year.

Addressing media on Monday, managing trustee of Connecting, Arnavaz Damania, said, “The number of calls has increased over the past two years and have jumped even further after the addition of the toll-free number. The number of calls has almost been doubled from 472 calls from June 2008 to May 2009 to 1102 calls from June 2009 to May 2010. Thus the total number calls received by the helpline till date is 1573.”

She also highlighted that a majority of the calls, about 78 per cent, received on the helpline are by males and most callers, about 54 per cent, are in the age group of 20 to 40 years.

Speaking on the mode of contact, Sandy Dias Andrade said that around 88 per cent callers approached on phone as against 10 per cent walking in. Only two per cent contact through email. “Before exam period and result time, we receive more calls from students. The percentage of callers below the age of 20 years is around 4.”

The helpline service is anonymous and confidential, and trained volunteers listen to the person in distress.

The service is currently manned by around 30 volunteers, who offer their time once a week to listen to people feeling suicidal. Reaching out to the college students at large and raising awareness on suicide prevention, Connecting is organising a Rok-A-Dance competition next month.

TO CALL...

Connecting helpline 9922001122 and toll-free number 18002094353 are open from 2 to 8 pm all days of the week, for people who are depressed and feel suicidal. Callers can also write in at connectingngo@gmail.com. For the helpline to expand in its reach and to become a 24-hour helpline, Connecting needs more volunteers. Those who would like to volunteer for any of Connecting's activities can contact on 020 26333044.