In 2014, founder Gayatri Datta, after experiencing the pain and suffering from personally losing loved ones to suicide, was compelled to do something to help prevent suicide in India. Silence for her was no longer an option. Thus began Sisters Living Works in 2015, an organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the suicide in India, and provide suicide prevention education and resources to the public.

India has one of the highest suicide rates in the world.  In 2015, more than 133,623 individuals in India died by suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death for women and girls ages 15-49,  and the rate appears to be rising.

Cultural and social factors like the dowry system, forced marriages, poverty, and gender inequality are contributing factors for suicide among women in India. In addition, lack of mental health care resources and the stigma associated with seeking mental health care, creates reluctance to seek suicide-related help.

The recently introduced Mental Health Care Bill in the Indian Parliament underscores the depth of the problem of suicide, and for the first time in India’s history, establishes access to affordable and quality mental health care as a right for all, and decriminalizes the act of suicide. This is a very welcome change, but there is much that needs to be done.

Since its founding in 2015, Sisters Living Works has:

• Spread awareness to thousands of individuals in numerous schools, colleges and communities.
• Reached hundreds of individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.
• Educated reporters, media and the community about how to best report and discuss suicide.
• Communicated with thousands of individuals through our website, social media, brochures, and speakers to reach the masses.

Intensive group interactions are organized where information is provided on the prevalence of suicide in India, the warning signs of suicidal behaviour, and strategies that participants can use to respond effectively to a person expressing suicidal thoughts. These workshops raise awareness and equip the participants to serve as “First Responders” to someone in a suicide crisis.

Through sharing sessions and focused dialogue, we create a safe and sensitive space in which individuals feel comfortable to talk about their stories and experiences with suicide and mental health. We welcome and encourage discussion from participants about personal past suicidal behaviour (if any), a loved one who may have exhibited suicidal tendencies, or simply expressing one’s thoughts and opinions on this topic.

In addition to providing education, Sisters Living Works is creating a resource network for survivors of suicide in Mumbai and the surrounding neighbourhood through a free support group. The group will have meetings at a designated location where participants can share, process their emotions related to their loss, remember the loved one they lost to suicide, and provide strength to one another in times of need.

Sisters Living Works holds an annual, day long conference to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day observed on 10 September. The conference invites a panel of eminent professionals and advocates in the field of mental health, which engages with the audience about suicide and its prevention, and shares valuable insights on the importance of taking care of one’s own mental fitness and obtaining professional help when needed.

Events occur throughout the year to instil awareness and create an open dialogue about suicide and mental health. Some significant ones include:

• International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.
• Into The Light: Our Annual Awareness Run and Walk.
• Movie and Documentary screenings.
• Stalls and information desks put up at college festivals and other recreational events.

Sisters Living Works continues to expand the variety of events and venues in order to reach as many lives as possible.

We organize online and offline courses and talks that address various aspects under suicide prevention for all. Some of them cater to specific populations such as students, teachers, counsellors, and professionals.

To know more about the various courses we offer, click here.

Sisters Living Works ultimately visualizes a suicide-free India, where each person is aware and sensitized about the importance of mental health. Our goals include:

• Developing educational content to promote awareness about suicide and mental health, and delivering them through offline and online mediums such as workshops, conferences, and multimedia outlets.
• Developing and implementing strategies to counter cultural stigma associated with suicidal behaviour, mental health diagnosis, and its treatment, which prevents many from seeking help.
• Assisting family members in understanding that suicide affects not only the suicidal person, but the family too. Guiding families to seek help in dealing with their feelings of grief from loss of their loved ones and their pain from the burden of the resulting social stigma.
• Creating a “Women’s Centre”, where women can gather, develop friendships, and provide support. Women of different walks of life can use this space to come and share, learn, connect with others, and work together to reduce the shame and stigma often associated with mental health treatment.
• Recruiting, organizing, training, and educating advocates dedicated to the cause of suicide prevention, and to influence the public and elected officials on policies affecting suicide prevention.