Suicide Prevention Rally and Signature Campaign

Rally

Makro Foundation (MaFo) in collaboration with Roda Mistry College of Social Work and Research has promoted  the worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicide by organizing Suicide Prevention rally on 7th September 2010.

Objective:

The rally was organised to Increase Community awareness on the issue of stigmatization against suicide, raise awareness and to encourage and advocate help-seeking behavior on the issue that death through suicide is avoidable.

  “Suicide Prevention Awareness Rally” and “inauguration of  the Signature Campaign to pledge discrimination against suicide” was held at Notary Junction next to the Indira Gandhi Statue near necklace Road from 10:30 am-1:00 pm on 7th September 2010 .  

Details about participants: Students of Roda Mistry College of Social Work (90), St. Maria High School (40) Makro Group (30) people participated in the rally along with the guests, dignitaries and faculty members.

Guests:: Mr. M. Subba Rao, Chairman & Managing Trustee, Makro Foundation
· Mr. Mr. Mahesh Malneedi, President Makro Group
· Dr. Uma Shankar  Institute of Mental Health and    Nodal Officer of State Mental Health Program
· Dr. Anna Mathew, Principal, Roda Mistry  College of Social Work.

Inauguration

Suicide Prevention Awareness Rally  -Mr. A. Balakrishna, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic Central Zone, 
Signature campaign Inauguration by  -     Mr. R. Sailesh Reddy, Business Editor, Zee Telugu

Highlights of Inauguration Program.

• The program started with a brief welcome address by Ms. Aparna Ghose Adhikari operation manager Makro Foundation about the program, followed by inviting the guests on to the dais and speak few words.
• Mr. Mahesh Malneedi, CEO Makro Group  gave the objective of the program. 
•  Mr. Uma Shankar,  Institute of Mental Health spoke about the suicide and its impact on youth.
• Mr. Harish from RMCOSW- spoke about the importance of these program in reaching out to the youth.
• Mr. Mr. R. Sailesh Reddy-Business Editor Zee News Telugu,  spoke about this issue and told youth to work towards preventing suicide and stated it was a very noble and good initiative.
• Mr. R. Sailesh Reddy inaugurated the Signature campaign along with other dignitaries. 
• After the Signature campaign inauguration, Makro Company Tokens were presented to guests by students of St. Maria School.
• Suicide Prevention Rally was flagged off by Mr. Balakrishnan, ACP, Traffic central Zone.
• The inauguration program came to an end with the vote of thanks by Ms. Eswari, Faculty Roda Mistry College of Social Work.
• After the Inauguration of the rally students shouted slogans, held the play cards against committing suicide, and conducted the rally from Notary junction towards the necklace road and towards the eat street.
• Simultaneously awareness drive were carried out at Traffic Signals of  Rabindra Bharati Junction and Khairatabad Junction on Suicide Prevention. Rabindra Bharati Junction –15 students.  Khairatabad Traffic Junction -30 students .

Outcome: 5000 flyers on Suicide Prevention Helpdesk was distributed and 150 people participated in the program along with wide publicity in the media. Over 500 signatures were collected.