Kerala - Kochi   

Maithri shifts office

KOCHI: Maithri, the voluntary organisation that helps people take a re-look at life who are on the edge of suicide, will now function from a different premise and will have a different telephone number.

Volunteers of Maithri will be available at the first floor of Shantigram Building at Kalamassery, near Pathadipalam bus stop on the National Highway and can be contacted at 0484-2540530.

It was 12 years ago that the organisation was started providing emotional support to the distressed callers. The success of the organisation has been because of the confidentiality and support extended by the volunteers. The volunteers attending the calls or interacting one-to-one with distressed people are trained to provide an unprejudiced support and respect, earning their confidence. This opens up an avenue for those who are emotionally pushed to take the extreme step because of no support system.

The aim of Maithri is to bring down the suicide rates in the State, which is about three times the national average. Maithri believes that every suicide attempt is a cry for help. And the organisation strives to give that help in the most important time of a person’s emotional struggle.

Maithri functions all days of the week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone can walk in and meet the volunteers or can write to them.

At a function on Tuesday, Kurian Joseph, judge, High Court, inaugurated the new premises of Maithri. Kalamassery Municipality chairperson V.M. Arifa presided. Father Jose Alex, chairman of Maithri, welcomed the gathering. George Kandathil, Director, ICTA, gave the keynote address and M. Mannuel, director of Maithri, proposed a vote of thanks.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Solidarity of the faceless non-drinkers
Pavakkulam Pongala tomorrow
Going strong at the ripe age of 107
Private bankers’ meet on Sunday
Campaign for SC/ST quota
Latin Catholics’ plea on jobs
Kitco eyes more consultancy projects
Bomb scare at Fort Kochi school
Coral bleaching to become an annual affair
Maithri shifts office
Vallarpadam NH link: roadblocks being cleared
Cherai turning killing ground of dolphins
Oriya workers given compensation
Colleges told to collect fees proposed by them High court roundup
In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu