AT least 200 volunteers will be trained as part of an initiative to tackle an increase in the number of suicides among expatriates in Bahrain.
They will ultimately man multiple hotlines round the clock, which will be set up soon by the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF).
ICRF chairman Aruldas Thomas told the GDN that the aim of the volunteers, or “gatekeepers” as the training calls them, was to provide a link between a person with suicidal tendencies and a mental health professional.
He said the training would involve recognising warning signs for suicide and how to respond appropriately.
The initiative follows an increase in the suicide rate among expats so far this year and was based on feedback from the Indian community during a forum organised by the ICRF last week.
The GDN has reported on 30 expat suicides this year, of which 23 were Indians, including 14 from Kerala.
Of the six cases reported this month alone, five were Indians.
“We are going ahead with three activities on priority basis, based on the feedback from the community as well as from within the ICRF team,” said Mr Thomas.
“First of all, we will soon be initiating the gatekeepers training, which will target at least 200 volunteers from the Indian community.
“We are co-ordinating with the various clubs and associations across Bahrain to pool in the volunteers, and experts will give them training, which we expect to commence next month.
“The culmination will be multiple hotlines manned by these volunteers round the clock.
“The purpose is to ensure maximum reach out to all and any who might be in need of help.”
The ICRF, which functions under the aegis of the Indian embassy offering humanitarian assistance to needy Indians living in Bahrain, also plans mass outreach programmes including broadcast campaigns and a short movie competition.
Mr Thomas explained that the three-minute film could be produced by expatriates or citizens, but should be shot in Bahrain, and that the winning entries would be showcased on social media platforms.
“The plan under discussion is to have regular announcements on the radio and have expert talks on the help available and what could be done when people feel they are in need of support in handling,” he said.
“Meanwhile, we will also soon announce a short film competition themed on awareness about suicide.
“We will soon meet to finalise the rules and regulations for three-minute video that will be judged by a jury. Our aim is to reach the masses through visual media – the winning entries will be given prizes, while selected movies, which definitely will come up with a message, will be uploaded on social media platforms.
“Anyone, including residents and citizens could participate and the film should be shot in Bahrain.”
Meanwhile, ICRF vice-chairman Dr Babu Ramachandran stressed the importance of community outreach programmes – adding that launching the helplines was the first step in tackling the problem.
“The list of reasons that could be attributed to suicides is long, but if we analyse we can see that the reason is unique for each person,” he said.
“A reason for one person might sound silly for another, but the issue is major for the affected and that is why he is perhaps thinking of suicide as a solution.
“On the argument that a person who has decided to commit suicide will not call a hotline, I would say that a hotline could be the first step to reach out.
“We need to interact with people around and emphasise that there is a solution for every problem.
“Preventing even one person from suicide is an achievement in itself and this is the aim of the ICRF.”
The GDN reported in April that plans for the helplines were being discussed by the ICRF to help distressed students and their parents as part of its LIFE (Listen, Involve, Foster, Engage) project.
It was prompted by the suicide of 15-year-old Ansu Jacob, from India, a grade 10 student who hanged herself in the living room of her home in Segaiya in February last year.
The GDN also reported earlier this month on suicide hotlines being launched by Pravasi (Expatriates) Guidance Forum, a group of volunteers in Bahrain.
The three telephone numbers are being manned by around 60 trained counsellors available on 39605806, 39283875 and 33601311.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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