Saath Suicide Prevention Centre, Ahmedabad organised an outreach event to create awareness about the importance of mental and emotional health at the School for the Visually Challenged students run by the Blind People’s Association, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad. Departing from the presentation mode for obvious reasons, the event was planned and executed in an interactive manner. Saath Befriender Mira explained in detail Saath’s activities in the area of mental health and suicide prevention. She averred that at certain times such emotion of feeling low is natural and we have to be aware of such feelings and share the same with those who can listen to us in a nin-judgemental way. She promised that Saath will always welcome students to talk to our Befrienders in case they have such feelings.
Thereafter, the podium was thrown open by Sudhir to any questions/sharing of life experiences. One of the students who had clear vision till his age of 17 years and who used to drive two wheelers, suddenly found to his horror that his vision was waning fast. For the next two years he felt helpless more so because during that time he lost his father too. Suicidal thoughts also came across his mind but thanks to the principal of the school, he was encouraged to pick up threads of his life once again. He appreciated Saath’s activities and said that many students with apprehensions about their success in life can be helped by Saath by giving them the opportunity to vent out.
A girl asked a very pertinent question on Self-confidence. She asked how in an environment when we get negative feedback about us, can we maintain our Self-confidence? It was explained by Sudhir that it’s important to observe who is giving negative feedback? If the feedback is given by our well-wishers, we may think over the feedback and if it is found that there is some truth in the same, we may try to improve. And if we find that what we are doing is correct, such negative feedback should be ignored without any sense of guilt. Later on, while sharing her experience, Shilpa also mentioned how in the initial stage of her professional career, she was devastated by lack of confidence and how she overcame such negative emotions.
There were good artists in the students group (aged between 13 & 25 years). When encouraged to showcase their musical talents two boys – Rajesh and Om – sang film songs without any accompanying instruments. These songs were treat to the ears of all of us.
The event that was permitted to be organised by the Principal Shri Dinesh Pandya, ended with vote of thanks by Dipali Ben a very empathetic teacher.
On-the-spot one-on-one Befriending was done for two students by Ranjeetbhai and Shaila ji.
A few photographs with two small video clips of the songs sung by two students are also part of this communication.
Saath Suicide Prevention Centre, Ahmedabad was represented, in addition to Mira & Sudhir, by Ranjeet ji, Parshottam Bhai , Shailaji, Diptiji, Anitaji, Shilpaji and Krutik.
Cheers to Team Saath for such an interactive and fruitful event.