'Every Life Counts"
Connecting TRUST was formed in July 2005 by a group of concerned citizens under the guidance of Arnavaz Damania. The group has a fervent desire to extend support to those experiencing emotional distress. Several trained volunteers contribute their time and effort to the cause, making it possible for Connecting TRUST to expand both the scope as well as the reach of its work in the field of Suicide Prevention. DISTRESS HELPLINE
The helpline is for those in emotional distress or feeling suicidal, provides a space where the volunteer listens to the caller in an accepting, non-judgemental and non-advisory way, maintaining confidentiality and anonymity. It is open from 10 am to 8 pm on all days
OUTREACH PROGRAMME
The Outreach Programmes are for sensitizing one to issues related to Emotional Awareness and Suicide – how to identify signs of stress, distress or feeling suicidal; how to help someone feeling suicidal; how to care for someone who has had a suicide loss. These activity-based programmes of about 50-60 minutes, conducted for children, adolescents and adults at schools, colleges, corporate companies, housing societies, slums, NGOs, and other community setups are adapted to the needs of the group and facilitated by volunteers. PEER EDUCATION PROGRAMME
The Peer Education Programme is for creating caring communities in schools, colleges and other community setups by raising awareness about suicide prevention in a peer group. In this long-term programme, volunteers facilitate the process of sensitization of a select group of participants from a community to issues related to suicide prevention, and enhancement of their listening, self care and life skills. The participants (’peer educators’) then become the catalysts for spreading this awareness and empowering their communities. The regular meetings of peer educators in each community are guided and facilitated by a dedicated set of volunteers for that community. SUICIDE SURVIVOR SUPPORT PROGRAMME
We offer individual emotional support to anyone who has attempted suicide and survived or has lost someone to Suicide, individually through our SSP helpline service, and through Listening Circles for group support. VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Connecting TRUST tries to meet the existing gap of the dearth of the mental health professionals by training people from all walks of life. When volunteers join in from all walks of life, it represents a joining in from all sections of society towards the cause or providing emotional support to people in distress and suicide prevention.
