As part of the initiative to observe World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) which falls on Sept.10, SNEHA, a suicide prevention organisation based in Chennai, organised a 3 km Walkathon from Olcott Memorial School, Besant Nagar. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist of WHO, also participated in the Walk. Around 2000 people from all walks of life – Institutions, Colleges, Corporates and TNPL team members participated and extended their support to show solidarity with the cause and to create more awareness.
The event was flagged off by Cine actor Siddharth. Dr Nalli Kuppuswamy, President , SNEHA welcomed the gathering and thanked all the participants. The Guest of honour for the event, Dr.J. Radhakrishnan, Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation addressed the gathering and felicitated SNEHA for its services to the society.
Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Founder SNEHA, stated that more than 1.5 million distressed and depressed people have contacted SNEHA over the years. SNEHA has now expanded its services to include online chat from April 2023. This walkathon conveys the message that suicide prevention is possible by every human being and is also everyone’s responsibility. WSPD has been observed every year to raise awareness about the magnitude of the problem and to take proactive measures to engage the community to prevent suicide and to save lives. Anand, Director, SNEHA expressed his heartfelt thanks to all those who have made this event possible.
SNEHA has been offering unconditional emotional support to people who are distressed, depressed and or suicidal, for the past 35 years.
