Newsletter- January-March 2025

“In the midst of darkness, hope is our guiding light.”
-Unknown

We welcomed 2025 with renewed hope and a stronger commitment. This quarter we are excited to present the highlights of our most recent programs and activities, which are meant to promote resilience, offer assistance, and raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

1. Series of Suicide Prevention Workshops:

This quarter, Sisters Living Works (SLW), partnered with several organizations, schools, and colleges to further our commitment to suicide prevention. One of our significant collaborations was with L.S. Raheja College, where we conducted a series of suicide prevention workshops that reached over 1,000 students.

Through these sessions, participants learned to recognize warning signs, offer support, and respond effectively in moments of crisis. Every conversation opened a door to understanding and built a stronger network of care and compassion.

2. Building Mental Wellness:

At Sisters Living Works, we engage diverse communities through both online and offline workshops, offering valuable insights on a wide range of mental health topics. While suicide prevention remains our core focus, we also explore areas such as stress management, emotional regulation, building resilience, enhancing self-esteem, and many more. Through collaborations with organizations like Bright Future, Udayan Care, and others, we extend our reach, particularly to marginalized communities.

Workshop on ‘Maintaining Healthy Parent-Child Relationships’ in Collaboration with Bright Future

Participant Feedback from Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Workshops

“The workshop gave us insights about suicide, to recognize someone with suicidal thoughts and to manage such situations.”

“It was informative and much needed, thank you!”

“I found the workshop to be very informative. The workshop provided you with specific hands-on skills. The skills will be invaluable in my professional and personal life. Thanks so much for a brilliant workshop and a fun atmosphere. Speakers were as engaging (and prepared).”

3. First Responders Training for Suicide Prevention with Social Workers:

Our First Responders Training program for social workers who support underprivileged communities has been one of the key highlights of this quarter. Social workers often encounter situations that require immediate, informed, sometimes life-saving actions, especially when they are working with vulnerable communities.

The batch of February 2025 proved to be an outstanding success, with participants showing high levels of engagement. Through this training, they have gained the ability to recognize warning signs of suicidal thoughts, effectively approach individuals in crisis, provide empathetic support, and connect them to the appropriate resources for further help.

‘Wheel of Power’ Activity Conducted During First Responders Training

Participant Feedback from First Responders Training for Suicide Prevention

“In this session, very important information was given about suicide. Also information was also given about making a safety plan, which was very useful.”

“This session was very wonderful, the best part of which was how to identify a suicidal person, identify High risk and Low risk”

“Yes, the session was very helpful and its give very knowledge about suicide awareness and how to react on these cases as first responders by knowing their causes and risk.”

4. Support Groups

Recognizing the profound impact our support groups have had, we introduced a new initiative specifically for parents who have lost their children to suicide. This group was born out of a deep understanding of the unique and isolating grief that parents survivors of suicide loss face. This led us to create a compassionate space where parents can connect with others who truly understand their pain. This support group offers a sense of community, allowing parents to grieve, share their stories, and find strength in knowing they are not alone on this difficult journey. 

Our support group at the Life-Long Rehabilitation Center remains a vital source of support for people battling with addiction, especially individuals grappling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide. This group allows participants to express their concerns and struggles, helping them feel supported as they work through their challenges.

Additionally, our online support group continues to offer a safe and understanding space for individuals facing mental health challenges. Here, participants can share their experiences, find emotional support, and engage in conversations that foster a sense of belonging and well-being.

5. Bridging the Gap with Psychological Support:

Sisters Living Works offers low-cost counseling services to individuals from low-income backgrounds, recognizing the significant gap in access to mental health support. Our aim has been to make quality mental health care more accessible to those who need it most. By providing both in-person and online counseling sessions, we ensure that support is available to individuals in the way that best suits their needs.

6. Instagram Live Sessions with Mental Health Experts:

Our Instagram Live sessions continue to be a key platform for promoting mental health awareness. We hosted two insightful sessions with mental health experts, providing valuable guidance on mental health and emotional well-being.

This quarter, we covered the following topics:

• Women’s Mental Health with Consultant Psychologist Anuradha Kalegar
• Understanding Suicide with Psychotherapist Anupam Mishra
• Psychology of Social Media: How it Shapes Our Mind with Madhura Koparkar

Upcoming Events

Workshops:

Stress Management on 22nd March, 2025.

Brushstrokes of Emotion: Art as a Mental Health Tool on 30th March, 2025.

Prioritising Oneself on 30th March, 2025.

Support Group:

Our next support group is on 26th March, 9th April, and 23rd April, 2025.

Run and Walk for Suicide Prevention:

Join us in our efforts for spreading awarenesss about suicide prevention by participating in our walk and run on 27th April, 2025.

Teacher’s Training Program for Suicide Prevention:

We have scheduled training sessions on 16th, 23rd, and 30th May, 2025

Write to us at info@sisterslivingworks.org for more details on the above!

Thank You!

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and believed in our mission at Sisters Living Works. From our dedicated volunteers and mental health professionals to our partner organizations and donors- your contributions make our work possible. Every workshop held, every support group formed, and every life touched is a reflection of the collective effort we share.

Together, we continue to build a community of hope, understanding, and resilience. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

We have been able to continue our efforts towards reducing suicides in India because of your support and generosity!

Please generate donations for our organization just by having the Erasustain app installed on your phone. It’s a passive way to support important causes without any cost or extra effort from your side!

Sisters Living Works (SLW) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in USA and 80G, 12AB and CSR1 certified in India. Your donation is deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.​

You can also donate through our website sisterslivingworks.org using our secure PayPal or Credit Card System.

You can scan the QR code below and donate to us through UPI in INDIA.