Sneha, the suicide prevention centre, that has worked to provide emotional support to people in distress for 30 years, is looking for volunteers.
“We run two helplines, one that is 24x7 and the other that functions from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and we get 50 to 60 calls a day. We also get visits and plenty of e-mails. Right now, we have about 50 volunteers, but we need many more,” said V. Srikumar, director of the centre. Anyone who is above the age of 20, has a working knowledge of Tamil and English, and can spare four hours a week on the same day and time once a week at the centre in R.A. Puram can apply, he said. Listening without criticism and judgement and befriending people in need is what volunteers need to do.
In recent years however, there is better health-seeking behaviour. Sneha has attended to over 1,50,000 calls since they started 30 years ago. To volunteer, call 044-2464 0050/60 or log on towww.snehaindia.org.
