If you need to talk to us urgently, our helpline (+91)-(0)484-2540530 is available, 10 AM to 7 PM, Sunday to Saturday
Befriending Services
Befriending takes place when a suicidal person interacts with a Volunteer - through visits, telephone, letters or e-mail. During Befriending, Callers get a chance to ventilate their feelings to the Volunteer who will give them undivided attention. The Caller can contact the centre freely, they are not required to give Volunteers either contributions or gratitude. The aim of Befriending is to support Callers as they face their difficulties and to share their pain by demonstrating acceptance, empathy and care.
A Volunteer responds to a suicidal person as a friend, on an equal level, with unconditional, uncritical acceptance and respect. Befriending does not limit Callers' freedom. Callers are offered simple emotional support and remain free to make their own decisions, reject help, break contact and even move on with their decisions about ending life. Befriending is not forced. Volunteers do not intrude on the person who have sought the Centre's help. A person who contacted once is not attempted to be traced.
Are you suicidal ?
My friend, you have reached a fellow human being who can listen to you in your present moment of agony. I ask you to read on, because I think I can bring comfort to your pained emotions. I will not criticize you, nor will I try to impose my convictions on you. I accept you as you are and I respect your right to decide on all matters concerning yourself. Why do you feel pained my friend? Did your experiences with this world cause misery to you - misery that you could not share with anyone around? Are you sad; do you feel anxious; have you come to think that you are too tired to live on with the defeats, shame, loneliness, guilt or fear? I understand how severe your anguish must be, if it makes you consider giving up your precious life.
My friend, may I tell you that this world also has people - people whom you've never known before perhaps - who are greatly concerned about you. Read on my friend, because I want you to know that help is available to you. Help that can bring you back to that happy life you once loved. Before you act on your decisions, share your agony with a concerned person - someone who will listen gently and allow you to unburden and lessen your mental pain.
Come my friend, try for once anyone of the following:
- Call us at +91 484-2540530 or visit us at our center at ICTA Shantigram, Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala, at any time between 10 AM and 7 PM on all days of the week
- You can also send an e-mail or letter to Maithri, which will be replied at the earliest.
My friend, I urge you to seek assistance. Know that you are not alone. There are people who care about you. You are worthwhile.
Worried about someone?
If someone you know might be feeling suicidal, please know that suicidal individuals might be comforted if the mental pain being experienced by them is lessened. Willingness to listen to what the person has to say - with understanding and acceptance, without being intrusive, judgmental or critical - can make the person feel better. A basic awareness about suicide greatly helps in forming the appropriate approach towards a suicidal person. In order to take care of the person you are worried about, you may want to go through the following information from this website
What can you do?
- Talking about feelings can make all the difference between choosing to live or die. If you're helping someone who feels suicidal, please take care of yourself as well.
- Ask the person how they are feeling and listen to the answer.
- Encourage the person to seek help and talk to someone they trust.
Remember that it is difficult to support someone very close to you on your own. Encourage the person to seek emotional support and talk to someone they trust - may be friends, family, medical service personnel, or suicide helplines.
Next Steps...
If you think you need any of these services . Please don't hesitate to reach us. We are just a click away from you. We do respect your privacy, so if interested, you can go through our privacy policy