Kerala - Kochi   

Childline to focus on the increasing suicides among youngsters

CARING HANDS: A Childline volunteer with two children rescued from the streets.

KOCHI: Children today are under much pressure — at home and in school. And a number of times the young minds are not able to take in much stress. Childline, an autonomous organisation working for children’s welfare, believes that an awareness regarding a support system for children is lacking among the general public.

Childline will associate with Maitri, an organisation working towards preventing suicides, to deal with the mental struggle among children that drives them to drug abuse and suicide.

In an advisory meeting of Childline chaired by District Collector M. Beena, it was decided that Childline’s activities in the area will be supported by various government departments and organisations. For this, it was decided to make available District Panchayat funds. District Panchayat officials would be asked to provide funds for activities to create awareness on child labour, child beggary and child rights. The grama panchayats and the district panchayats would play a supportive role here along with the District Kudumbasree Mission.

Bala Sabhas under Kudumbasree would be brought to join Childline’s activities. Support would also come in from various departments like the police, labour and social welfare and also residents’ associations to synergise Childline’s activities in the district. Childline will use the 320 High School Childline clubs to reach out to all students and provide them support.

The meeting was also attended by A. Anil Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Police; K. M. Sherif, District Labour Officer; A. Chandra, District Education Officer; A. K. Padmakshi, District Probation Officer; M. M. Manuel, Director, Maitri; Rangadasa Prabhu, president, Ernakulam District Residents Association’s Apex Council and P. R. Balachandran, vice-president, PCSJ.

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