save a life prevent a suicide

Befriending centers in Srilanka do their bit for Suicide Prevention Day



Head office-We were able to get the same sponsor as last year, DFCC bank to sponsor the ‘flag, leaflet and poster campaign’ for 2010. These were distributed to all branches island wide. It was also decided to continue this campaign for a week starting from the 10th September. Some Public awareness progs were conducted before the 10th.
Colombo-
Held a Media conference on the 9th Sep. at the centre where they highlighted the media guidelines for journalists when reporting suicides. (especially targeting journalists because of the recent spate of teenage suicides and copycat suicides) Founder member made the journalists aware of ‘Sumithrayo’ and ‘Suicide’ and the services offered. The role of the head office and the Rural Programme where they work in over 80 villages was also discussed.
Training new volunteers; is a challenging task with the many young, talented, knowledgeable young people joining the centre. (They wish to know if there are new strategies in training new vols?) They find that most of them have gone through excellent training progs, workshops and even study courses such as counseling etc.

Katunayaka – Visited public areas in groups handing out flags, posters and handouts making them aware of ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’. This way they were able to hold informal discussions re the many issues they faced in their daily life, including school children.

Areas visited were bus stands, markets and town centre.
A huge problem they face is the lack of volunteers. Most of the volunteers are retired but are committed. What they need are younger volunteers to bring some life into the centre.
Mawanella –Conducted an awareness prog. To A level and O level students from five schools in the area. A very good response received. Three professional speakers and volunteer Hema conducted the programme. Hema’s presentation made the students aware of ‘Sumithrayo’ and the free service we offer and ‘Suicide’.
Flags, Posters and handouts were also distributed.
Panadura – the major event was pinning the first flag to remember world suicide prevention day on the first lady of our country.
Flags and tills were distributed among private schools, Police station and the base hospital along with Sumithrayo posters and brochures.
Panduwasnuwere –Distributed Posters, Flags and handouts. The volunteers printed their own leaflet which described Sumithrayo and services in a simple way to be easily understood by villagers and school children. Also making them aware of the dangers of pesticides and cautioning the people marketing these products.
Conducted programmes for young adults.
They hope to conduct a programme at the Mental Hospital for Doctors and staff.
Kandy. Publicity re Sumithrayo was given by a popular radio programme 2 days prior to 10th September. Also advertised the Awareness programme they hope to conduct on Saturday 18th September at the Police auditorium for the public and all police personal attached to Kandy. Flag, posters and handouts will be distributed at this event.
Kurunegala- conducted awareness prog. At base hospital and distributed flags, posters and leaflets. The volunteers conducted the same prog. on the 12th to the people in the market place. Distribution of flags, posters and handouts were given after conducting prog for school children and teaching staff from a village with a high rate of suicide deaths.
Matale- One week prior to 10th September posters were pasted in the Matale town. Flags and leaflets were distributed among the staff working in government and mercantile sectors. The first flags were pinned on two respected citizens of Matale. 10th Sep. fell on a very important Muslim festival day. The volunteers conducted an awareness session after the prayers outside the mosque. This resulted in the priest requesting the volunteers to conduct a programme to a group of people selected by the priest.
Kohuwela- Flags and leaflets were distributed at bus stands and while traveling on buses especially on routes taken by buses passing their centre. School children immediately visited the centre after these reading the leaflets and talking with volunteers.
Lunugamvehera- distributed flags, handouts and pasted the posters in villages and town. Informal discussions took place while distributing same.