Connect, Communicate, Care is the theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day that will be celebrated tomorrow.

“The theme encourages our people to connect to service providers. We must break our culture of silence and must create communities of care and acceptance to build a resilient nation,” president of Youth Champs 4 Mental Health Lionel Rogers said.

The group was visiting schools this week around Suva, Lautoka, and Labasa using creative arts to advocate for suicide prevention and mental health.

“We will be covering 30 schools with over 7000 students and teachers. The project is funded by the Direct Aid programme under the Australian government,” Mr Rogers said.

Lifeline executive director, Archana Mani echoed the same sentiments that support systems from families and communities were very important to those that were going through the issue.

Lifeline which is an independent organisation established three years ago, focuses on phone counselling with 42 trained volunteers.

“In regards to awareness, the media has played a major role and the support of the Ministry of Health has been tremendous,” Ms Mani said.

Lifeline will be holding a vigil at their office in Waimanu Road (FCOSS Building) at 7.30pm tomorrow to remember those that have lost their lives to suicide.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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