SDRF launches maiden toll free counselling helpline for people experiencing mental health issues
Owais Gul
Srinagar : Amid the rise in suicidal tendency in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has finally come up with the measures to rescue the distressed people across the Union Territory by launching ‘SUKOON’ for the people experiencing mental health issues.
The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) has finally resorted to assisting the people facing mental issues across Jammu and Kashmir. It has launched ‘Sukoon’, a toll-free number today to help the people in distress.
Notably, the initiative comes at a time when the suicidal tendency especially among the youth has increased across Jammu and Kashmir. The psychiatrists have also sounded alarm bells in this regard and have stated that the society, especially parents, have a pivotal role to play in this regard.
Meanwhile, DGP Home guards /Civil Defence & SDRF J&K, V K Singh told KNO that the pandemic has been here for more than one and half year and so much trauma has generated due to loss of lives and the impact on the economy. “The student community is also in distress. There is a provision in Disaster Management manual that there has to be psychological rehabilitation. As part of it, the initiative of coming up with a toll free number has taken in a bid to provide relief to distressed people,” he said.
He added that they will ensure that the toll-free number (1800-1807-159) will remain active for the persons who are feeling anxiety, depression, stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), adjustment disorder, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, mental health emergency and pandemic related psychological pressure.
“We have collaborated with Mission Youth J&K to extend financial support to distressed youth,” he said, adding that it is an important aspect as there have been incidents where people of different age group especially students, inflicted self harm, who had fee related issues, monthly installment return of bank. Thus this type of support will provide hope to the coming generation and that is the aim of the initiative,” he said.
“We are noticing all the incidents like loss of life by way of suicides, etc. This is a step on those lines to support the community in the pandemic situation, he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mission Youth, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary told KNO that the cases related to employment and related issues will be referred to Mission youth for redressal.
He said that the distressed youth facing mental issues, will be supported and engaged in training, skill or others—(KNO)
