CHENNAI: 2656-4444 is a helpline with a simple message: "Life is worth living. Whatever the problem, do not give up on LIFE."

"We seldom go out. We usually respond to phone calls, through letters, and prefer face-to-face talks. But in one instance, we broke the rules for a seven-year-old boy, who sought help for his father, who had locked himself in a room for three days and threatened to kill himself," said Sudhakar Simeon, director, Jeevan Suicide Prevention Hotline (JSPH). Established in January 2003, JSPH is one of the projects of Youth with a Mission, a non-government organisation.

"Whenever we see that father, we feel a sense of accomplishment, of having been able to give one who had rejected life a reason to live. At Jeevan, we desire to make that difference" he said. Persons with a suicide instinct show certain direct and indirect patterns, which are meant to draw attention.

"They actually want to be stopped," he said. "A suicide attempt is a cry for help. Counselling is the answer to this cry for help."

"A 19-year-old-college student went into deep depression," Mr. Simeon said. "He had locked himself in a room for over 10 days as his father could not afford to pay his fees. This is a sure setting for a suicide attempt.." Of the total 3,300 calls received till date, hardly 25 per cent felt comfortable leaving their identity.

At least 75 per cent of the callers were men. The maximum number of calls from both men and women were from the 20-35 age groups.

Jeevan Suicide Prevention Hotline is located on 171, Ambiga Street, Golden George Nagar, Nerkundram.

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