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Aasra Suicide Prevention.This blog is about getting people to talk about their innermost feelings and emotions in times of distress and despair.All discussions are about the issue of suicide, mental health and it's effect on society. Aasra Helpline for the depressed and suicidal. 91-22-27546669(24x7)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
10 Sept 2010, Mall walk- Awareness campaign by aasra volunteers
Mall Walk- Navi Mumbai
On Sept 10, 2010, Aasra volunteers undertook an unique exercise to promote suicide awareness amongst the general public. Sporting Aasra T shirts with the message Suicide Prevention is everybody's responsibility, Aasra voluntteers spent productive time in all the seven malls (Kharghar, Palm beach and Vashi Station) in Navi Mumbai.
They also distributed bookmarks and handouts on the occasion.
On Sept 10, 2010, Aasra volunteers undertook an unique exercise to promote suicide awareness amongst the general public. Sporting Aasra T shirts with the message Suicide Prevention is everybody's responsibility, Aasra voluntteers spent productive time in all the seven malls (Kharghar, Palm beach and Vashi Station) in Navi Mumbai.
They also distributed bookmarks and handouts on the occasion.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Happy 12TH Birthday AASRA
AASRA celebrated its 12th birthday today, the 13th of September 2010
As always, we volunteers met at the Assra office and had the customary candle-lighting and volunteer oath-taking ceremony.
The oath taking is a solemn event.
The volunteers renew their commitment to the cause and purpose of what Aasra stands for.
Later we all had dinner at a volunteers home.
The dinner it self was very meaningful as we listened to MR.GOENKA is talk on vippasana.
Kudos to our director for encouraging volunteer-bonding.
Friday, September 10, 2010
World Suicide Prevention Day Sept 10, 2010
World Suicide prevention Day
Message by IASP president on occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day
Each year as many as 1,000,000 people are estimated to die by suicide across the globe; many, many more make nonfatal attempts. The search for simple solutions to suicide prevention and intervention is problematic as suicide is an immensely complicated behavior, multifactorial caused and not subject to easy solution. We have so much to do and we have an imperative to mobilize supports and demobilize barriers to effectively make the difference we wish to make. We are not going to accomplish much if we apply simple solutions to complex problems. Today, Sept 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. This is but one day in the year where we all should be as active as possible to make the road ahead just a bit easier to travel and the targets of our efforts more achievable.
Lanny Berman, Ph.D.
President of IASP
Executive Director, American Association of Suicidology
Washington, DC
Nearly 3000 people on average commit suicide daily, according to WHO. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives. About one million people die by suicide each year. Suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death which is influenced by psycho-social, cultural and environmental risk factors that can be prevented through worldwide responses that address these main risk factors. There is strong evidence indicating that adequate prevention can reduce suicide rates.
World Suicide Prevention Day, which first started in 2003, is annually held on September 10 each year as an IASP initiative. WHO co-sponsors this event. World Suicide Prevention Day aims to:
• Raise awareness that suicide is preventable.
• Improve education about suicide.
• Spread information about suicide awareness.
• Decrease stigmatization regarding suicide.
WHO and IASP work with governments and other partners to ensure that suicide is no longer stigmatized, criminalized or penalized. WHO's role is to build political action and leadership to develop national responses to prevent suicide, strengthen national planning capacity to establish the core building blocks of such a national response, and build the national capacities to implement these responses.
IASP, Aasra as part of the Berienders Worldwide network and several other agencies involved in suicide intervention and post-vention activities exists to decrease these staggering numbers and to make a difference in the lives of those at risk. By networking together with national and local suicide prevention organizations, researchers, volunteers, clinicians and professionals to share knowledge, experience, and skills, we hoe to provide support and foster collaborations to prevent suicide and alleviate its effects.
We have programs that will give a positive rush to this international effort. Aasra will be holding depression awareness events like walk-thrus, mobile poster exhibitions, distribute leaflets, posters, book marks in public places like malls, railway stations and bus depots through-out the week from 10th Sept to 17th Sept. We will also be conducting training courses in depression and suicide awareness
We greatly look forward to your esteemed support and wholehearted participation in this international effort on World Suicide Prevention Day. Thank you in advance for participating in that.
Suicide can be prevented and your involvement can make a huge difference!
Best regards,
Johnson Thomas
Director(AASRA)
Mob: 9820466726
Email: johnsont307@gmail.com,aasrahelpline@yahoo.com
www.aasra.info www.befriendersindia.org www.iasp.org www.samaritans.org
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
depression related to Cholestrol levels and gender
College of Montpellier analysts indicate us how depression is related to cholestrerol levels and gender - sourced by Betty Doyle
Do you know the Institute of Medical and Health Research (INSERM) and College of Montpellier financed professionals indicated that controlling 'good' and 'bad' levels of cholesterol may help reduce emotional disorders among aging seniors?
In a freshly released issue of the academic journal Biological Psychiatry (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com) released in July 2010, leading researcher Doctor. Marie-Laure Ancelin of INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale http://www.inserm.fr) announced that gender specific regulation of cholesterol may help reduce despression symptoms in the aging seniors.
French analysts observed a significant group of men and women aged sixty-five and older for seven years.
They identified that depressive disorder in women was connected with low levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which puts them at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, including stroke.
On the other hand, depressive disorder in men was associated with low levels of "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This association was strongest in men with a hereditary vulnerability to depression related to a serotonin transporter gene.
Therefore, proper regulation of HDL-C and LDL-C levels may help reduce depression in the aging seniors, the study concluded.
The study appeared in the July 15 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry (Reference: http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(10)00393-8/abstract).
Major dietary sources of cholesterol include dairy products, egg yolks, meat, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts incorporate cholesterol-like substances called phytosterols.
Total cholesterol is defined as the sum of HDL (High-density lipoprotein), LDL (Low-density lipoprotein), and VLDL (Very-low-density lipoprotein). Usually, only the total, HDL, and triglycerides are memeasured.
Experts recommend to have cholesterol tested more frequently than five years if someone has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher, or if a man over age forty five or a woman over age 50 has HDL (good) cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL, or exist other risk components for coronary disease and stroke.
So...exactly what can you do to increase your HDL (good) and reduce your LDL (bad) levels?
1. Exercising can substantially increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.
2. Smoking cigarettes has been shown to lower HDL while raising LDL cholesterol.
3. Prepared, trans fats at the same time raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
4. Monounsaturated fats such as those found in organic olive oil and avocados increase HDL and lower LDL.
5. Fatty fish like sardines and salmon contain omega-3 fats that raise HDL and lower LDL.
6. Whole, intact grains contain dietary fiber and niacin, both of which raise HDL and may lower LDL.
Now it's all to you...
About me - Betty Doyle contributes articles for the www.depressionpills.org blog. It's a nonprofit site specialized in her personal depression journey. The blog is targeted on presenting energy and hope to anyone who is suffering from depressive disorder and encourages those people to find the energy to fight back against the effects of depression. By doing this she would like to support alleviate some of the stigma mental illness depression can cause and help the public perception of mood diseases.
http://www.depressionpills.net/Cholesterol_Levels_Linked_to_Depression_in_Elderly_004.doc
Do you know the Institute of Medical and Health Research (INSERM) and College of Montpellier financed professionals indicated that controlling 'good' and 'bad' levels of cholesterol may help reduce emotional disorders among aging seniors?
In a freshly released issue of the academic journal Biological Psychiatry (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com) released in July 2010, leading researcher Doctor. Marie-Laure Ancelin of INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale http://www.inserm.fr) announced that gender specific regulation of cholesterol may help reduce despression symptoms in the aging seniors.
French analysts observed a significant group of men and women aged sixty-five and older for seven years.
They identified that depressive disorder in women was connected with low levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which puts them at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, including stroke.
On the other hand, depressive disorder in men was associated with low levels of "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This association was strongest in men with a hereditary vulnerability to depression related to a serotonin transporter gene.
Therefore, proper regulation of HDL-C and LDL-C levels may help reduce depression in the aging seniors, the study concluded.
The study appeared in the July 15 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry (Reference: http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(10)00393-8/abstract).
Major dietary sources of cholesterol include dairy products, egg yolks, meat, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts incorporate cholesterol-like substances called phytosterols.
Total cholesterol is defined as the sum of HDL (High-density lipoprotein), LDL (Low-density lipoprotein), and VLDL (Very-low-density lipoprotein). Usually, only the total, HDL, and triglycerides are memeasured.
Experts recommend to have cholesterol tested more frequently than five years if someone has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher, or if a man over age forty five or a woman over age 50 has HDL (good) cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL, or exist other risk components for coronary disease and stroke.
So...exactly what can you do to increase your HDL (good) and reduce your LDL (bad) levels?
1. Exercising can substantially increase HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.
2. Smoking cigarettes has been shown to lower HDL while raising LDL cholesterol.
3. Prepared, trans fats at the same time raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
4. Monounsaturated fats such as those found in organic olive oil and avocados increase HDL and lower LDL.
5. Fatty fish like sardines and salmon contain omega-3 fats that raise HDL and lower LDL.
6. Whole, intact grains contain dietary fiber and niacin, both of which raise HDL and may lower LDL.
Now it's all to you...
About me - Betty Doyle contributes articles for the www.depressionpills.org blog. It's a nonprofit site specialized in her personal depression journey. The blog is targeted on presenting energy and hope to anyone who is suffering from depressive disorder and encourages those people to find the energy to fight back against the effects of depression. By doing this she would like to support alleviate some of the stigma mental illness depression can cause and help the public perception of mood diseases.
http://www.depressionpills.net/Cholesterol_Levels_Linked_to_Depression_in_Elderly_004.doc
suicide surviviirs Day 2010
Organizing an AFSP National Survivors of Suicide Day Conference Site
September E-Bulletin
National Survivors of Suicide Day is Saturday, November 20, 2010.
220 of you have let us know that you’ll be organizing a conference site and over 170 of you have already officially registered – thank you. If you haven’t already done so, please Register Your Site as soon as possible so we can add it to the list of participating cities. Filling out this online form is the only way to register your site and receive the free broadcast on November 20th.
Not able to organize a site this year? We understand – just reply to this email to let us know if we should be in touch next year.
We hope you find our step-by-step guide at www.afsp.org/survivorconference helpful as you continue to plan your day, but if you have any questions or concerns, please be in touch. We are here to help.
« IDEAS FOR LOCAL PROGRAMMING
Simply showing the AFSP broadcast on November 20th is a meaningful service to the local community which shows survivors everywhere that they are not alone. For many, this is the first time they will meet another survivor of suicide loss. However, if you would like to add additional local speakers and/or activities to your conference, here are some ideas (updated for 2010).
« WRITTEN MATERIALS
Looking for materials to distribute? You have two options:
1. You can print out the following free of charge and provide photocopies for your attendees:
Poem: We Remember Them
Surviving Suicide Loss: A Resource and Healing Guide
Facts about Suicide
Handling the Holidays
Surviving a Suicide Loss Bibliography
Talking to Children About Suicide
2. Additional materials may be ordered for a nominal charge by visiting the AFSP Store. Place your order no later than October 29th to be sure that you receive everything in time. Shipping & handling costs for U.S. orders are included in prices below.
Note on ordering from outside the U.S.: Order before October 21st by emailing rthorp@afsp.org. Additional shipping and handling charges will apply.
Surviving After Suicide. A tri-fold color brochure with clear, basic information about surviving suicide loss. (Also available in Spanish.) $0.25/each.
Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Resource and Healing Guide. A 28-page resource guide containing more detailed information on coping with suicide loss, including professional articles, an extensive resource list including a bibliography, and an online resource list. $1.00/copy. (Also available for free online.)
After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief by Bob Baugher, Ph.D., and Jack Jordan, Ph.D. Our most in-depth guide to coping with suicide loss, this book is organized chronologically around the first days, weeks, and months following a suicide loss. It includes practical strategies for coping and healing as well as straightforward information about psychiatric disorders and when to seek professional help. $10.00/each.
Child Survivors of Suicide: A Guidebook for Those Who Care for Them by Rebecca Parkin and Karen Dunne-Maxim. This paperback book offers guidance for family members, educators, and others who deal with young survivors. (Also available in Spanish.) $10.00/each.
Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Financial Guide. This 60-page booklet addresses the financial aspects of surviving a suicide loss. Order up to 90 copies for free by emailing rthorp@afsp.org. (Also available for free online.)
When You Fear Someone May Take Their Life. A tri-fold color brochure that explains the risk factors for suicide, and includes specific guidance about recognizing and responding to depression in yourself or others. (Also available in Spanish.)$0.25/each.
About AFSP. A tri-fold color brochure that describes AFSP's work and includes information about how survivors can get involved. (Also available in Spanish.) $0.25/each.
Thanks, and take good care,
Joanne and Rebecca
Joanne Harpel, Director of Survivor Initiatives -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 32
Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 33
ØIf you don't wish to receive future emails about organizing a conference site, just let us know by return email.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
Phone (212) 363-3500
New York, NY 10005
Fax (212) 363-6237
www.afsp.org
September E-Bulletin
National Survivors of Suicide Day is Saturday, November 20, 2010.
220 of you have let us know that you’ll be organizing a conference site and over 170 of you have already officially registered – thank you. If you haven’t already done so, please Register Your Site as soon as possible so we can add it to the list of participating cities. Filling out this online form is the only way to register your site and receive the free broadcast on November 20th.
Not able to organize a site this year? We understand – just reply to this email to let us know if we should be in touch next year.
We hope you find our step-by-step guide at www.afsp.org/survivorconference helpful as you continue to plan your day, but if you have any questions or concerns, please be in touch. We are here to help.
« IDEAS FOR LOCAL PROGRAMMING
Simply showing the AFSP broadcast on November 20th is a meaningful service to the local community which shows survivors everywhere that they are not alone. For many, this is the first time they will meet another survivor of suicide loss. However, if you would like to add additional local speakers and/or activities to your conference, here are some ideas (updated for 2010).
« WRITTEN MATERIALS
Looking for materials to distribute? You have two options:
1. You can print out the following free of charge and provide photocopies for your attendees:
Poem: We Remember Them
Surviving Suicide Loss: A Resource and Healing Guide
Facts about Suicide
Handling the Holidays
Surviving a Suicide Loss Bibliography
Talking to Children About Suicide
2. Additional materials may be ordered for a nominal charge by visiting the AFSP Store. Place your order no later than October 29th to be sure that you receive everything in time. Shipping & handling costs for U.S. orders are included in prices below.
Note on ordering from outside the U.S.: Order before October 21st by emailing rthorp@afsp.org. Additional shipping and handling charges will apply.
Surviving After Suicide. A tri-fold color brochure with clear, basic information about surviving suicide loss. (Also available in Spanish.) $0.25/each.
Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Resource and Healing Guide. A 28-page resource guide containing more detailed information on coping with suicide loss, including professional articles, an extensive resource list including a bibliography, and an online resource list. $1.00/copy. (Also available for free online.)
After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief by Bob Baugher, Ph.D., and Jack Jordan, Ph.D. Our most in-depth guide to coping with suicide loss, this book is organized chronologically around the first days, weeks, and months following a suicide loss. It includes practical strategies for coping and healing as well as straightforward information about psychiatric disorders and when to seek professional help. $10.00/each.
Child Survivors of Suicide: A Guidebook for Those Who Care for Them by Rebecca Parkin and Karen Dunne-Maxim. This paperback book offers guidance for family members, educators, and others who deal with young survivors. (Also available in Spanish.) $10.00/each.
Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Financial Guide. This 60-page booklet addresses the financial aspects of surviving a suicide loss. Order up to 90 copies for free by emailing rthorp@afsp.org. (Also available for free online.)
When You Fear Someone May Take Their Life. A tri-fold color brochure that explains the risk factors for suicide, and includes specific guidance about recognizing and responding to depression in yourself or others. (Also available in Spanish.)$0.25/each.
About AFSP. A tri-fold color brochure that describes AFSP's work and includes information about how survivors can get involved. (Also available in Spanish.) $0.25/each.
Thanks, and take good care,
Joanne and Rebecca
Joanne Harpel, Director of Survivor Initiatives -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 32
Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 33
ØIf you don't wish to receive future emails about organizing a conference site, just let us know by return email.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
Phone (212) 363-3500
New York, NY 10005
Fax (212) 363-6237
www.afsp.org
suicide surviviirs Day 2010
Organizing an AFSP National Survivors of Suicide Day Conference Site
September E-Bulletin
National Survivors of Suicide Day is Saturday, November 20, 2010.
220 of you have let us know that you’ll be organizing a conference site and over 170 of you have already officially registered – thank you. If you haven’t already done so, please Register Your Site as soon as possible so we can add it to the list of participating cities. Filling out this online form is the only way to register your site and receive the free broadcast on November 20th.
Not able to organize a site this year? We understand – just reply to this email to let us know if we should be in touch next year.
We hope you find our step-by-step guide at www.afsp.org/survivorconference helpful as you continue to plan your day, but if you have any questions or concerns, please be in touch. We are here to help.
« IDEAS FOR LOCAL PROGRAMMING
Simply showing the AFSP broadcast on November 20th is a meaningful service to the local community which shows survivors everywhere that they are not alone. For many, this is the first time they will meet another survivor of suicide loss. However, if you would like to add additional local speakers and/or activities to your conference, here are some ideas (updated for 2010).
« WRITTEN MATERIALS
Looking for materials to distribute? You have two options:
1. You can print out the following free of charge and provide photocopies for your attendees:
Poem: We Remember Them
Surviving Suicide Loss: A Resource and Healing Guide
Facts about Suicide
Handling the Holidays
Surviving a Suicide Loss Bibliography
Talking to Children About Suicide
2. Additional materials may be ordered for a nominal charge by visiting the AFSP Store. Place your order no later than October 29th to be sure that you receive everything in time. Shipping & handling costs for U.S. orders are included in prices below.
Note on ordering from outside the U.S.: Order before October 21st by emailing rthorp@afsp.org. Additional shipping and handling charges will apply.
Surviving After Suicide. A tri-fold color brochure with clear, basic information about surviving suicide loss. (Also available in Spanish.) $0.25/each.
Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Resource and Healing Guide. A 28-page resource guide containing more detailed information on coping with suicide loss, including professional articles, an extensive resource list including a bibliography, and an online resource list. $1.00/copy. (Also available for free online.)
After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief by Bob Baugher, Ph.D., and Jack Jordan, Ph.D. Our most in-depth guide to coping with suicide loss, this book is organized chronologically around the first days, weeks, and months following a suicide loss. It includes practical strategies for coping and healing as well as straightforward information about psychiatric disorders and when to seek professional help. $10.00/each.
Child Survivors of Suicide: A Guidebook for Those Who Care for Them by Rebecca Parkin and Karen Dunne-Maxim. This paperback book offers guidance for family members, educators, and others who deal with young survivors. (Also available in Spanish.) $10.00/each.
Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Financial Guide. This 60-page booklet addresses the financial aspects of surviving a suicide loss. Order up to 90 copies for free by emailing rthorp@afsp.org. (Also available for free online.)
When You Fear Someone May Take Their Life. A tri-fold color brochure that explains the risk factors for suicide, and includes specific guidance about recognizing and responding to depression in yourself or others. (Also available in Spanish.)$0.25/each.
About AFSP. A tri-fold color brochure that describes AFSP's work and includes information about how survivors can get involved. (Also available in Spanish.) $0.25/each.
Thanks, and take good care,
Joanne and Rebecca
Joanne Harpel, Director of Survivor Initiatives -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 32
Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 33
ØIf you don't wish to receive future emails about organizing a conference site, just let us know by return email.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
Phone (212) 363-3500
New York, NY 10005
Fax (212) 363-6237
www.afsp.org
September E-Bulletin
National Survivors of Suicide Day is Saturday, November 20, 2010.
220 of you have let us know that you’ll be organizing a conference site and over 170 of you have already officially registered – thank you. If you haven’t already done so, please Register Your Site as soon as possible so we can add it to the list of participating cities. Filling out this online form is the only way to register your site and receive the free broadcast on November 20th.
Not able to organize a site this year? We understand – just reply to this email to let us know if we should be in touch next year.
We hope you find our step-by-step guide at www.afsp.org/survivorconference helpful as you continue to plan your day, but if you have any questions or concerns, please be in touch. We are here to help.
« IDEAS FOR LOCAL PROGRAMMING
Simply showing the AFSP broadcast on November 20th is a meaningful service to the local community which shows survivors everywhere that they are not alone. For many, this is the first time they will meet another survivor of suicide loss. However, if you would like to add additional local speakers and/or activities to your conference, here are some ideas (updated for 2010).
« WRITTEN MATERIALS
Looking for materials to distribute? You have two options:
1. You can print out the following free of charge and provide photocopies for your attendees:
Poem: We Remember Them
Surviving Suicide Loss: A Resource and Healing Guide
Facts about Suicide
Handling the Holidays
Surviving a Suicide Loss Bibliography
Talking to Children About Suicide
2. Additional materials may be ordered for a nominal charge by visiting the AFSP Store. Place your order no later than October 29th to be sure that you receive everything in time. Shipping & handling costs for U.S. orders are included in prices below.
Note on ordering from outside the U.S.: Order before October 21st by emailing rthorp@afsp.org. Additional shipping and handling charges will apply.
Surviving After Suicide. A tri-fold color brochure with clear, basic information about surviving suicide loss. (Also available in Spanish.) $0.25/each.
Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Resource and Healing Guide. A 28-page resource guide containing more detailed information on coping with suicide loss, including professional articles, an extensive resource list including a bibliography, and an online resource list. $1.00/copy. (Also available for free online.)
After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief by Bob Baugher, Ph.D., and Jack Jordan, Ph.D. Our most in-depth guide to coping with suicide loss, this book is organized chronologically around the first days, weeks, and months following a suicide loss. It includes practical strategies for coping and healing as well as straightforward information about psychiatric disorders and when to seek professional help. $10.00/each.
Child Survivors of Suicide: A Guidebook for Those Who Care for Them by Rebecca Parkin and Karen Dunne-Maxim. This paperback book offers guidance for family members, educators, and others who deal with young survivors. (Also available in Spanish.) $10.00/each.
Surviving a Suicide Loss: A Financial Guide. This 60-page booklet addresses the financial aspects of surviving a suicide loss. Order up to 90 copies for free by emailing rthorp@afsp.org. (Also available for free online.)
When You Fear Someone May Take Their Life. A tri-fold color brochure that explains the risk factors for suicide, and includes specific guidance about recognizing and responding to depression in yourself or others. (Also available in Spanish.)$0.25/each.
About AFSP. A tri-fold color brochure that describes AFSP's work and includes information about how survivors can get involved. (Also available in Spanish.) $0.25/each.
Thanks, and take good care,
Joanne and Rebecca
Joanne Harpel, Director of Survivor Initiatives -jharpel@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 32
Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 ext. 33
ØIf you don't wish to receive future emails about organizing a conference site, just let us know by return email.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
Phone (212) 363-3500
New York, NY 10005
Fax (212) 363-6237
www.afsp.org
Phobias
Conquering Phobias
A phobia is a deep, abnormal or irrational fear, which can interfere with your normal day-to-day life. They are imagined fears and fall into the category of anxiety disorders. It can be triggered by an object, event or situation.
The “fear” that you may have actually may cause little or no real danger at all. If you suffer from phobia, it can affect your ability to mingle with friends, colleagues and/or relatives. Phobia can affect anyone—children, adults and the elderly.
Types of phobia
There are many different kinds of phobia. Some of the most common ones are:
* Acrophobia—fear of heights.
* Agoraphobia—fear of open spaces or public places such as a mall or an elevator or a room filled with people.
* Claustrophobia—fear of enclosed places.
* Social phobia—fear of everyday social situations, fear that people may have negative opinions about you.
* Hemophobia—fear of blood.
* Hydrophobia—fear of wate
Children may develop symptoms of specific phobia as young as age 5,particularly phobias such as thunderstorms, animals or phobias relatedto bodily injury.
Social phobia and situational phobias, suchas fear of heights or of enclosed places, usually appear much later asyou enter into adulthood
If you suffer from phobia of a particular nature, you will always try avoiding those objects or situations. If you are not able to do so, you may experience the following symptoms:
* Difficulty breathing.
* Panic and sweating.
* Feel terrified.
* Faster heartbeat.
* Start trembling.
* Want to run away or escape from the situation.
What causes phobia?
The causes of phobia are unclear. Experts believe that phobias can be inherited from your parents. For example, children may acquire a phobia by observing certain phobic reactions of his or her parents such as a fear of spiders or snakes.Other factors that can be a cause of phobia are brain chemicals, genetic traits and/or certain shocking or disturbing incidents in an individual’s past.
Anxieties and fears
Anxieties and fears are quitenormal. Everyone experience some sort of anxiety or fear at some pointin their life. However, a little bit of anxiety can actually help youstay alert and focused.
Having fears or anxieties about certainthings can sometimes help you safeguard yourself. For example your fearof fire would naturally keep you at a distance from it and therebyensure your safety. But when you get obsessed with this fear to theextent that it affects your normal life, it becomes a phobia or anxietydisorder.
Try to analyze your phobia
What you can initially do is, try to analyze the patterns into which your phobia falls. Simply feeling uncomfortable or uncertain about an object or situation is quite normal. If your fear is not upsetting your life, it is not generally considered a disorder, and you may not need treatment. But if your pattern of phobia or fear is constant with a particular stimulus and it disrupts your normal life, inform your doctor about it.
For example, you are so anxious about traveling by an aircraft that youavoid it and take a longer, much time consuming train journey instead of taking the short flight to your destination. This is one of thetypical signs that you may have a phobia.
Complications of phobia
Left untreated, phobia can cause a lot of complications in your life. Some of the most common ones are:
* Social seclusion: If you have social phobia(fear of everyday social situations) or fear of public places(agoraphobia), you may find yourself avoiding social situations andpublic places. This can also have a negative impact on yourprofessional life. Your finances can suffer and you may find itdifficult to maintain proper relationships with your colleagues orbusiness partners.
* Substance abuse: Phobias can make you take to alcohol and drug abuse to cope with the problem.
* Depression: Social isolation, substance abuse and avoiding people and enjoyable activities—all these can lead to depression.
Treatment
Inform your doctor if you feel your phobia is disturbing your normal life. With timely intervention and the right treatment, your doctor will help you win over your fears—have no phobia about that.
A phobia is a deep, abnormal or irrational fear, which can interfere with your normal day-to-day life. They are imagined fears and fall into the category of anxiety disorders. It can be triggered by an object, event or situation.
The “fear” that you may have actually may cause little or no real danger at all. If you suffer from phobia, it can affect your ability to mingle with friends, colleagues and/or relatives. Phobia can affect anyone—children, adults and the elderly.
Types of phobia
There are many different kinds of phobia. Some of the most common ones are:
* Acrophobia—fear of heights.
* Agoraphobia—fear of open spaces or public places such as a mall or an elevator or a room filled with people.
* Claustrophobia—fear of enclosed places.
* Social phobia—fear of everyday social situations, fear that people may have negative opinions about you.
* Hemophobia—fear of blood.
* Hydrophobia—fear of wate
Children may develop symptoms of specific phobia as young as age 5,particularly phobias such as thunderstorms, animals or phobias relatedto bodily injury.
Social phobia and situational phobias, suchas fear of heights or of enclosed places, usually appear much later asyou enter into adulthood
If you suffer from phobia of a particular nature, you will always try avoiding those objects or situations. If you are not able to do so, you may experience the following symptoms:
* Difficulty breathing.
* Panic and sweating.
* Feel terrified.
* Faster heartbeat.
* Start trembling.
* Want to run away or escape from the situation.
What causes phobia?
The causes of phobia are unclear. Experts believe that phobias can be inherited from your parents. For example, children may acquire a phobia by observing certain phobic reactions of his or her parents such as a fear of spiders or snakes.Other factors that can be a cause of phobia are brain chemicals, genetic traits and/or certain shocking or disturbing incidents in an individual’s past.
Anxieties and fears
Anxieties and fears are quitenormal. Everyone experience some sort of anxiety or fear at some pointin their life. However, a little bit of anxiety can actually help youstay alert and focused.
Having fears or anxieties about certainthings can sometimes help you safeguard yourself. For example your fearof fire would naturally keep you at a distance from it and therebyensure your safety. But when you get obsessed with this fear to theextent that it affects your normal life, it becomes a phobia or anxietydisorder.
Try to analyze your phobia
What you can initially do is, try to analyze the patterns into which your phobia falls. Simply feeling uncomfortable or uncertain about an object or situation is quite normal. If your fear is not upsetting your life, it is not generally considered a disorder, and you may not need treatment. But if your pattern of phobia or fear is constant with a particular stimulus and it disrupts your normal life, inform your doctor about it.
For example, you are so anxious about traveling by an aircraft that youavoid it and take a longer, much time consuming train journey instead of taking the short flight to your destination. This is one of thetypical signs that you may have a phobia.
Complications of phobia
Left untreated, phobia can cause a lot of complications in your life. Some of the most common ones are:
* Social seclusion: If you have social phobia(fear of everyday social situations) or fear of public places(agoraphobia), you may find yourself avoiding social situations andpublic places. This can also have a negative impact on yourprofessional life. Your finances can suffer and you may find itdifficult to maintain proper relationships with your colleagues orbusiness partners.
* Substance abuse: Phobias can make you take to alcohol and drug abuse to cope with the problem.
* Depression: Social isolation, substance abuse and avoiding people and enjoyable activities—all these can lead to depression.
Treatment
Inform your doctor if you feel your phobia is disturbing your normal life. With timely intervention and the right treatment, your doctor will help you win over your fears—have no phobia about that.
Aasra annual Return for 2009 Jan to Dec
Aasra Annual Return for Jan to Dec 2009
Annual Return of Centres
Each Centre is required to compile and submit an Annual Return. Receipt of your Annual Return also indicates your desire to continue your membership of Befrienders Worldwide (BW). The information requested by BW ensures adherence to the Charter and the overall desire to provide the best possible service to those in need of emotional support, however they may wish to access it throughout the world, whilst supported by members of Samaritans UK/ ROI and Befrienders Worldwide.
The Annual Return will also provide each Centre with comprehensive information for its own use, enabling an assessment as to how it is performing, what has changed in the previous year, what changes it may wish to make etc. The monitoring of contact statistics enables Centres to facilitate changes to their services if applicable or necessary. For consistency please provide information for a calendar year (i.e. year starts in January)
Year for this return…………………2009………………
Region (BW definition)……South Asia…
BW Certificate No:01070945………………………..
Contact Information
Name of Centre:……………AASRA………………………………………………………………..
Postal Address:…………104, SUNRISE ARCADE, PLOT 100, SECTOR 16, KOPARKHAIRANE, NAVI MUMBAI 400709
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Country:…INDIA………Post Code…400709………………………
Office No:……………91-22-27546667..
Phone No:(Helpline) 91-22-27546669………………………………
Fax No: None Centre Email address:…aasrahekpline@yahoo.com…….
Centre Information to be included on Befrienders Worldwide website (if different to that above)
Name of Centre:…AASRA…………..
Postal Address:……104 SUNRISE ARCADE, PLOT 100, SECTOR 16, KOPARKHAIRANE, NAVI MUMBAI-MAHARASHTRA…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Country:……………………INDIA…………………Post Code………400709
Telephone Nos:
Helpline No…………91-22-27546669….. Office…91-22-27546667..
Fax…………NONE… Centre Email address:…aasrahelpline@yahoo.com.
Web site address:……www.aasra.info……………… Helpline email (if used)……aasrahelpline@yahoo.com....
Volunteer Information
Number of Volunteers 22 plus 20 substitute volunteers(non-regular)….Number of paid staff…None….
Roles of paid staff (include hours employed for each person):
………………………………….………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Operational Information
Hours of operation………24 hours all days……………
Number of Volunteers on duty when Centre is operational: 22
How people in need contact you.
Type of Contact Number of contacts (not %)
Telephone 33453
Face- face 845
Letter 123
Email 2049
Text 23
other 452
Total number of contacts 36945
Define other…workshops, outreach, awareness, visits to institutions
contacts expressing suicidal thoughts…35110……………………………………….
Number of female contacts…18216… Number of male contacts…18724….
Special programmes you run?.. multi-level Workshops..for schools , degree and professional colleges, NGO staff, corporates etc. Outreach programmes with the institutionalised and the marginalized, Awareness programmes in housing societies, educational institutions and other organisations. Also support group programmes ..suicide affected families, suicide survivors and HIV positive, bi-annual suicide prevention training programs for the general public,quarterly Talks at HELP library, annual programs for Suicide prevention day, suicide prevention week, mnetal ealth week, And programs with NGO Forum including legal aid seminar for women, skill set training for the unemployed and marginalised, leadership training for grassroots workers, volunteer training, support services for MDACS HIV helpline, Basic psychology-understanding the human mind training for general public, soft skills and suicide prevention training for Medical students and BPO workers..
Funding
Where do you get your funding?........Individual donors............................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
Annual running costs (local currency)……Rs. 1,45,000/-………………….
Is your Centre a registered charity/ Trust/ Incorporated Society/recognised NGO? Yes/No Information/ Charity Number (if applicable):……E-2047 registered as a charitable trust under the Maharashtra charities act 1960
National Information
Is there a National body? Yes
Name of National Body……Befrienders India…..
Other Organisations your Centre is associated with or has on going contact with …………………………………………NGO forum of Navi Mumbai, 1298 womens helpline, childline, hiv aids network of ngos, MDACS, Nareshwadi Orphanage,.Mumbai helplines network, national helplines network, Bombay United, TISS
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Twinning Information
Are you twinned with another Centre?........no..............If yes, which one?.........................
If no, would you be interested in having a Twin? Yes
Have you had contact with your Twin this year? No
Your Centre’s Twinning contact person……Nita Das Gupta……………………………………………..
Contact details (if different to that of your Centre) ……………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Further information
Other information you may wish to share with fellow members about your Centre
Aasra just completed 11 years of operations with 75,674callers and counting. We had a candle lighting ceremony with a renewal of the Aasra pledge for all the volunteers. And we celebrated in muted fashion. Just a cake cutting and sharing of light snacks and soft-drinks.
Participated in the annual Marathon and generated publicity for the centre’s services.
For Suicide prevention day this year we conducted a week long poster and poetry competition for the 9th and 10th std students –topics were life is beautiful, hurdles are the stepping stones to success (for the posters) and Life, stress and coping for the poetry competition.
The events were judged and prizes were awarded on the 10th of sept- a musical night of motivational songs by Pallav Pandya, a brief speech by Johnson and candle lighting at 8pm. The event was given wide coverage in the newspapers Asian Age, HT and on TV by Zee TV. Johnson also was on a live chat organised by Times wellness between 2 and 3 pm.
Currently we are also pursuing a project on HIV and suicide, assisting the Apex HIV prevention body MDACS in support counselling for the HIIV infected. We continue to conduct workshops for NGO’s , school and college students and corporates- completed 21 such workshops in the 2009. We continue to stress on awareness also and go about distributing bookmarks and leaflets at public events like Film festivals, Theatre festivals, Mumbai festival, Bandra Festival etc.
Aasra volunteers also sold hand crafted items at the Friday fleamarket stalls in several malls.
Add-on training workshops for volunteers, friends and family Topics covered ‘Understanding Basic Psychology’, ‘Child Psychology’, ‘Communication skills’
Aasra presented a PPT presentation on Late life Depression at the 14th Befrienders India Conference held at Hyderabad by host center Roshni. Aasra volunteers also performed a song at a public function organised by Roshni volunteers on the occasion of World Volunteers Day(Dec 5th)
Suicide Survivors Day prog on Dec 12- ‘Re-engaging with Life’ – celebrating suicide survivors day, Sharing of experiences by victims and families affected by suicide, song ‘Heal the world’ by young Aasra supporter Aakash Francis, audio visual documentary(DVD) presentation(1 and 1/2 hr) from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and classical music recital by noted sarod player Vivek Joshi.
This year,2010, we have aldready conducted 24 workshops for teachers and students in schools and colleges SIES college, army school, Cathedral school, SIES school, Fr.agnel, St Xaviers, Nagpur Medical college, Navodaya school, New Horizon school, Ded and Bed colleges, Etc.Aasra was also invited for consultations with ORF foundation and TISS to discuss modalities and devise programs to prevent the increasing number of student suicides in the country. Aasra has initiated support group services for the mentally ill and their families in different nodes accross mumbai and navi mumbai. So far 12 are running concurrently.
For 2010 sept 10 suicide prevention day program- we have organised full day poster exhibitions and awareneess drives accross 10 malls in Navi mumbai. We have also teamed up with musician Pallav Pandya for a musical program supporting the cause of suicide prevention. Sept 13 we complete 12 years as an organisation and we will be holding a candlelight march inthe evening. For mental health week we will be holding an awareneess talk at HELP library.
Aasra continues to enjoy wide and appreciative coverage in the national and international news media -Times of india, Telegraph, Indian Express, DNA, Midday, The Hindustan times, Maharashtra Times, Free press journal, the afternoon, local and national vernacular papers, Le Monde, Europa, australian Radio, London Times, Al jazeera, Bindaas, CnnIBN, Readers Digest, The Week, Open, The Hindu, Telegraph, Mumbai Mirror, Outlook, BBC, NDTV, IBNLokmat, Headlines Today, Radio mirchi, radio star, radio midday, asian age, Sunday midday , Newsweek Asia, Business International,etc.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of person completing annual return:……Johnson Thomas………………………………………….
Role in the Centre:………Director…………………………………………………………………..
Contact Details (if not using Centre’s contact details)…mob: 0-9820466726 email: johnsont307@gmail.com
……rh2, plot 3, madhavi chs, sector 19A, nerul eat, Navi Mumbai-400706…………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Signed…Jthomas Date 30 july 2010…
Annual Return of Centres
Each Centre is required to compile and submit an Annual Return. Receipt of your Annual Return also indicates your desire to continue your membership of Befrienders Worldwide (BW). The information requested by BW ensures adherence to the Charter and the overall desire to provide the best possible service to those in need of emotional support, however they may wish to access it throughout the world, whilst supported by members of Samaritans UK/ ROI and Befrienders Worldwide.
The Annual Return will also provide each Centre with comprehensive information for its own use, enabling an assessment as to how it is performing, what has changed in the previous year, what changes it may wish to make etc. The monitoring of contact statistics enables Centres to facilitate changes to their services if applicable or necessary. For consistency please provide information for a calendar year (i.e. year starts in January)
Year for this return…………………2009………………
Region (BW definition)……South Asia…
BW Certificate No:01070945………………………..
Contact Information
Name of Centre:……………AASRA………………………………………………………………..
Postal Address:…………104, SUNRISE ARCADE, PLOT 100, SECTOR 16, KOPARKHAIRANE, NAVI MUMBAI 400709
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Country:…INDIA………Post Code…400709………………………
Office No:……………91-22-27546667..
Phone No:(Helpline) 91-22-27546669………………………………
Fax No: None Centre Email address:…aasrahekpline@yahoo.com…….
Centre Information to be included on Befrienders Worldwide website (if different to that above)
Name of Centre:…AASRA…………..
Postal Address:……104 SUNRISE ARCADE, PLOT 100, SECTOR 16, KOPARKHAIRANE, NAVI MUMBAI-MAHARASHTRA…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Country:……………………INDIA…………………Post Code………400709
Telephone Nos:
Helpline No…………91-22-27546669….. Office…91-22-27546667..
Fax…………NONE… Centre Email address:…aasrahelpline@yahoo.com.
Web site address:……www.aasra.info……………… Helpline email (if used)……aasrahelpline@yahoo.com....
Volunteer Information
Number of Volunteers 22 plus 20 substitute volunteers(non-regular)….Number of paid staff…None….
Roles of paid staff (include hours employed for each person):
………………………………….………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Operational Information
Hours of operation………24 hours all days……………
Number of Volunteers on duty when Centre is operational: 22
How people in need contact you.
Type of Contact Number of contacts (not %)
Telephone 33453
Face- face 845
Letter 123
Email 2049
Text 23
other 452
Total number of contacts 36945
Define other…workshops, outreach, awareness, visits to institutions
contacts expressing suicidal thoughts…35110……………………………………….
Number of female contacts…18216… Number of male contacts…18724….
Special programmes you run?.. multi-level Workshops..for schools , degree and professional colleges, NGO staff, corporates etc. Outreach programmes with the institutionalised and the marginalized, Awareness programmes in housing societies, educational institutions and other organisations. Also support group programmes ..suicide affected families, suicide survivors and HIV positive, bi-annual suicide prevention training programs for the general public,quarterly Talks at HELP library, annual programs for Suicide prevention day, suicide prevention week, mnetal ealth week, And programs with NGO Forum including legal aid seminar for women, skill set training for the unemployed and marginalised, leadership training for grassroots workers, volunteer training, support services for MDACS HIV helpline, Basic psychology-understanding the human mind training for general public, soft skills and suicide prevention training for Medical students and BPO workers..
Funding
Where do you get your funding?........Individual donors............................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
Annual running costs (local currency)……Rs. 1,45,000/-………………….
Is your Centre a registered charity/ Trust/ Incorporated Society/recognised NGO? Yes/No Information/ Charity Number (if applicable):……E-2047 registered as a charitable trust under the Maharashtra charities act 1960
National Information
Is there a National body? Yes
Name of National Body……Befrienders India…..
Other Organisations your Centre is associated with or has on going contact with …………………………………………NGO forum of Navi Mumbai, 1298 womens helpline, childline, hiv aids network of ngos, MDACS, Nareshwadi Orphanage,.Mumbai helplines network, national helplines network, Bombay United, TISS
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Twinning Information
Are you twinned with another Centre?........no..............If yes, which one?.........................
If no, would you be interested in having a Twin? Yes
Have you had contact with your Twin this year? No
Your Centre’s Twinning contact person……Nita Das Gupta……………………………………………..
Contact details (if different to that of your Centre) ……………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Further information
Other information you may wish to share with fellow members about your Centre
Aasra just completed 11 years of operations with 75,674callers and counting. We had a candle lighting ceremony with a renewal of the Aasra pledge for all the volunteers. And we celebrated in muted fashion. Just a cake cutting and sharing of light snacks and soft-drinks.
Participated in the annual Marathon and generated publicity for the centre’s services.
For Suicide prevention day this year we conducted a week long poster and poetry competition for the 9th and 10th std students –topics were life is beautiful, hurdles are the stepping stones to success (for the posters) and Life, stress and coping for the poetry competition.
The events were judged and prizes were awarded on the 10th of sept- a musical night of motivational songs by Pallav Pandya, a brief speech by Johnson and candle lighting at 8pm. The event was given wide coverage in the newspapers Asian Age, HT and on TV by Zee TV. Johnson also was on a live chat organised by Times wellness between 2 and 3 pm.
Currently we are also pursuing a project on HIV and suicide, assisting the Apex HIV prevention body MDACS in support counselling for the HIIV infected. We continue to conduct workshops for NGO’s , school and college students and corporates- completed 21 such workshops in the 2009. We continue to stress on awareness also and go about distributing bookmarks and leaflets at public events like Film festivals, Theatre festivals, Mumbai festival, Bandra Festival etc.
Aasra volunteers also sold hand crafted items at the Friday fleamarket stalls in several malls.
Add-on training workshops for volunteers, friends and family Topics covered ‘Understanding Basic Psychology’, ‘Child Psychology’, ‘Communication skills’
Aasra presented a PPT presentation on Late life Depression at the 14th Befrienders India Conference held at Hyderabad by host center Roshni. Aasra volunteers also performed a song at a public function organised by Roshni volunteers on the occasion of World Volunteers Day(Dec 5th)
Suicide Survivors Day prog on Dec 12- ‘Re-engaging with Life’ – celebrating suicide survivors day, Sharing of experiences by victims and families affected by suicide, song ‘Heal the world’ by young Aasra supporter Aakash Francis, audio visual documentary(DVD) presentation(1 and 1/2 hr) from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and classical music recital by noted sarod player Vivek Joshi.
This year,2010, we have aldready conducted 24 workshops for teachers and students in schools and colleges SIES college, army school, Cathedral school, SIES school, Fr.agnel, St Xaviers, Nagpur Medical college, Navodaya school, New Horizon school, Ded and Bed colleges, Etc.Aasra was also invited for consultations with ORF foundation and TISS to discuss modalities and devise programs to prevent the increasing number of student suicides in the country. Aasra has initiated support group services for the mentally ill and their families in different nodes accross mumbai and navi mumbai. So far 12 are running concurrently.
For 2010 sept 10 suicide prevention day program- we have organised full day poster exhibitions and awareneess drives accross 10 malls in Navi mumbai. We have also teamed up with musician Pallav Pandya for a musical program supporting the cause of suicide prevention. Sept 13 we complete 12 years as an organisation and we will be holding a candlelight march inthe evening. For mental health week we will be holding an awareneess talk at HELP library.
Aasra continues to enjoy wide and appreciative coverage in the national and international news media -Times of india, Telegraph, Indian Express, DNA, Midday, The Hindustan times, Maharashtra Times, Free press journal, the afternoon, local and national vernacular papers, Le Monde, Europa, australian Radio, London Times, Al jazeera, Bindaas, CnnIBN, Readers Digest, The Week, Open, The Hindu, Telegraph, Mumbai Mirror, Outlook, BBC, NDTV, IBNLokmat, Headlines Today, Radio mirchi, radio star, radio midday, asian age, Sunday midday , Newsweek Asia, Business International,etc.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of person completing annual return:……Johnson Thomas………………………………………….
Role in the Centre:………Director…………………………………………………………………..
Contact Details (if not using Centre’s contact details)…mob: 0-9820466726 email: johnsont307@gmail.com
……rh2, plot 3, madhavi chs, sector 19A, nerul eat, Navi Mumbai-400706…………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Signed…Jthomas Date 30 july 2010…
Befrienders Helpline nos appearing in The Hindu, Young world section
http://www.hindu.com/yw/2010/09/07/stories/2010090750160200.htm/
Down but not out
ARUNA SANKARANARAYANAN, The Hindu, Young World Section, 7th Sept 2010, Tuesday
Sometimes things do not happen the way you think they would, and then you get disappointed. How best can you cope with this?
You just failed a math exam and you tell yourself, “I never do well in math”.
Your best friend did not talk to you in school today and you think, “I am the only one she hates.”
The children on the bus called you a “fat slob”; you despairingly say, “I am a loser”.
While it is both normal and natural to feel upset when things go wrong, you must remember that how you deal with a problem is more important than the problem itself. In fact, everyone, including the top ranker, the all-rounder and the most popular kid, faces setbacks.
Moreover, events per se do not cause us to feel happy or sad, but how we think about them does. For example, if you know that your friend is a forgetful person, you will not feel hurt when she does not wish you on your birthday. Likewise, if you tell yourself that you got poor marks in a test because you had to attend a family wedding, you are less likely to feel miserable.
Don't give up
How we interpret events, thus, determines how we feel. In fact, we all talk to ourselves, in our minds. Psychologists refer to this as “self-talk”. The first step to avoid falling into an abyss of pessimism is to observe our self-talk. By paying attention to our automatic thoughts, we can then challenge them, especially if they paint a picture bleaker than reality.
For example, Sonu has just found out that she has to repeat Std. VIII. Her first thoughts are, “What will I do? My friends will think I am a dud. I will never be able to make new friends with the younger class. My parents will hate me for life.”
Difficult to handle : When parents shout.
Once Sonu becomes aware of her self-talk, she has to look for evidence — both pro and con — to challenge the beliefs she holds about herself. Is it true that her friends will think she is a dud? While she is not so good at studies, her friends admire her drawing and singing talents. Even though it will take time to make new friends. Will her parents hate her for life? Yes, they will be upset initially, but will end up supporting her like they always do.
Once Sonu tells herself that all is not lost she is better able to cope with distressing news. Even though she still feels bad she has lost a year, Sonu is able to muster enough strength to try again. The battle is not lost when we fail, but when we decide to give up. Finally, you must remember that success is not possible without failure.
(The author is Director, PRAYATNA, Centre for Educational Assessment & Intervention.)
* * *
When the Going Gets Tough
# How we interpret an event is more important than the event itself.
# Everyone fails at something at some point.
# If you are feeling down, talking to someone may help you identify and challenge your negative self-talk.
# There is nothing wrong in seeking professional help.
# Writing down how you feel can help you cope with strong emotions.
# If you are feeling low, do something you enjoy; do not allow yourself to wallow in your thoughts.
# Exercise regularly as it will help you keep your stress levels down.
Cultivate hobbies that you enjoy.
* * *
Says Anju, Director, Sneha:
Children have to be made to understand that being pulled up for scoring low marks, reprimanded for a certain behaviour or being criticised in front of the class is something that can happen to anyone - a regular part of school life - because most of the time they begin to think 'why me?'. This triggers off a feeling of embarassment. It is important that they ventilate what they have been through and what they are feeling to others, preferable an elder, whom they feel comfortable with. It could be a parent, grandparent, aunt or even a teacher. Children should NOT bottle up their emotions.
You can also reach out to organisations that offer help or emotional support when you are feeling very low and depressed. Or even even if it's just somebody you need to talk to, just call any of these helplines...
National helplines:
Aasra: 022-27546669
Maitreyi : 0413-233 9999
Sneha: 044-24640050, 044-24640060
Roshni: 040-7904646
Saath: 079-2630 5544/ 2630 0222
Sumaitri: 011-2338 9090
The Samaritans: 022-32473267
Lifeline Foundation: 2463 7401/7432/ 2474 5886
Website: http://www.befrienders.org/
helplines/helplines.asp?c2=India
Input from Madhumitha Srinivasan
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