Helpline launched for suicide prevention

It will also organise awareness events at community levels and educational institutions

PESHAWAR:

Two non-government organizations (NGOs), Blue Veins and Gender Response Advocacy Centre Ensuring Equality (GRACEE), have joined hands to voluntary launch crisis support and suicide prevention helpline "Happy K-P".

The helpline aimed to provide confidential support over phone, e-mail, video, chat and provide platform to organise team events and counselling.

The helpline would also organise awareness events at community levels and educational institutions, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

A helpline number, 0337-9216207, will connect the beneficiaries with the councilors and mental health experts of the GRACEE.

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The helpline will initially start its work in central zone of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Mardan, Charssada, Nowshera and Swabi.

On the occasion, GRACEE Chairperson Ammara Iqbal said suicide incidents had increased in the province in recent years and it had become a major public health issue.

From the available evidences, it appeared that mostly young people, including single men and married women, under the age of 30 committed suicides.

Hanging, use of insecticides and firearms were the most common methods, while relationship problems and domestic issues were the most common reasons for suicide, she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2021.