Sri Lanka Sumithrayo celebrates 50 year milestone in suicide prevention

Launch of the first day cover to celebrate 50 years of Sri Lanka Sumithrayo

“Talking helps. Listening heals. We are here for you. Choose life.” This is a tagline that Sri Lanka Sumithrayo has stood by for the past 50 years, offering support to many people who have been overwhelmed by various issues in life. Sri Lanka Sumithrayo is a non-profit suicide prevention organisation incorporated by an Act of Parliament, and is the first Organisation of its kind in Sri Lanka. The organisation offers free and confidential support for those experiencing mental health crises through face-to-face befriending, its hotline, community education, corporate awareness and outreach programmes. On the occasion of celebrating its 50 year milestone, a commemorative first day cover was launched. The event was graced by the presence of First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe.

A mission to save lives

In her welcome address, Suranjani Wickremaratne, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Sumithrayo went down memory lane as she mused on the beginnings of Sri Lanka Sumithrayo. “50 years ago, on June 15, 1974 we saw the birth of Sri Lanka Sumithrayo in Sri Lanka as a branch of Befrienders International in UK. Late Mrs. Joan de Mel together with Mrs. Nalini Ellawala and late Mr. Mansoor Ghouse supported by late Bishop Lakdasa De Mel commenced providing befriending services in a small place down Deans Road in Maradana for those in distress and felt suicidal. The centre opened three days a week with 25 volunteers working on four-hour shifts. Our founder, Joan De Mel, was guided by Chad Vara, the Founder of Samaritans, UK.

“When you lose someone to suicide, there are elements that are layered on top of grieving someone who died by natural causes. There’s guilt, stigma and those affected are less likely to reach out for help when they lose someone to suicide. Our hope, as Sri Lanka Sumithrayo, is that we can meet people during their grief journey and help them transform the hardest thing that has ever happened to them, to help them grow and learn from the experience.”

Sri Lanka Sumithrayo is manned by volunteers. More than 300 committed and dedicated volunteers in branches located island-wide assist in befriending more than 10,000 callers a year. “The training each of us has received and the experience we have had with callers has definitely made us more empathetic, and we have become a better friend, a better parent, a better daughter or son, and a better family member. We have saved many lives and given so many people a voice; given so many people a place to come to when they didn’t know where else to turn to. We are good listeners for those in need. For whatever the reason, we ask those in distress to call us. We are just there for them. They don’t even have to tell us their name. We just want to listen,” she said, while wishing Sri Lanka Sumithrayo the ability to continue to serve those in distress for many more years to come.

A beacon of hope for those in distress

Speaking at the event, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, President of Sarvodaya–Sri Lanka’s largest grassroots development organisation said that 50 years ago, a group of dedicated individuals saw a need in our community. “A need for emotional support, understanding and intervention for those grappling with mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts. They envisioned a world where no one has to face their darkest moments alone. From that vision, this remarkable Organisation was born. The impact of your work cannot be overstated in the realm of mental health and suicide prevention. Every act of kindness, every listening ear and every supportive gesture makes a significant difference. You have provided a safe space for individuals to express their fears and hopes, offered a compassionate ear in times of crisis and given hope to those who felt hopeless. Your efforts have not only saved lives but also helped to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, encouraging more people to seek the help that they need.” 

The prevalence of mental health disorders such as depression and substance abuse were discussed. Referring to several studies, Dr. Ariyaratne said that around 13 percent of our population may suffer from some form of mental disorder. “The armed conflict from 1983 to 2009 has left a lasting impact on the mental health of many Sri Lankans with high rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other trauma-related disorders among those directly affected by the conflict. There is a significant amount of stigma associated with mental health issues which often prevent individuals from seeking help. Cultural beliefs and lack of awareness contribute to this stigma. Traditional family structures and community support systems are changing, leading to increased social isolation, particularly among the elderly and young adults.”

Shedding light on some alarming statistics, Dr. Ariyaratne said that despite reductions in suicide rates over the past decades, Sri Lanka still records a higher than global average rate of suicide. “In 2022, the suicide rate was 27 per 100,000 for males and 5 per 100,000 for females with an overall rate of 15 per 100,000 population. This overall suicide rate declined from 1997 till about 2015 was due to a drop in suicide-related pesticide ingestion. However, since 2016, there has been an upward trend in overall suicide rates among males primarily due to an increase in hanging. Notably, suicide by hanging had risen among older females and young females who are 16-25 years of age. Urgent action is needed to address risk factors such as financial security, unemployment, depression, alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Additionally, media glamorisation of suicide by hanging should be minimised. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring, prevention efforts and targeted interventions to reduce suicide rates and improve mental health in Sri Lanka.”

He further appreciated the rural programmes conducted by Sri Lanka Sumithrayo while acknowledging the dearth of trained mental health professionals and services in contrary to urban centres. He also added that by serving others, it provides an opportunity for volunteers to heal themselves while adding that peer support is also important when addressing suicide-related issues. “By continuing to build on the progress made over the past decades, Sri Lanka can work towards a future where mental health is prioritised and tragic loss of lives to suicide is significantly reduced.”

Addressing sex-gender conflicts

In her keynote address, First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe appreciated the services rendered by Sumithrayo as an organisation of care, concern and generosity and support. “Peopled by a team who is deeply committed, the service that you provide for the rural farming communities, urban institutions, corporates, drug dependents, for those who are stressed, emotionally distraught, suicidal, and for anyone who requires your assistance is commendable.”

Her speech shed light on gender identity, the stigma associated with someone identifying him or herself as being of a ‘third gender’ and associated challenges. “There seems to be a dearth of common knowledge with regards to the concept of gender identity, its history and manifold understandings in the collective public imagination. Generally speaking, the terms sex and gender have often been used interchangeably. But historically, the word sex has been used to classify a person as a man or woman based on their external genitalia at birth. Thus, the male and female are perceived as binary and oppositional identities to one another, centred on differences in physical appearances and biology.”

She further said that unlike in the ‘80s and ‘90s, in the 2020s, understanding pertaining to gender has expanded and diversified due to the recognition that everyone is psychologically in tandem with their biological sex. “In other words, the way in which people feel about themselves and their gender, do not always match their biology. For instance, though born women, some people may feel internally that they are actually men trapped in women’s bodies and vice versa.” 

Prof. Wickremesinghe said that therefore, the sex, or the biology, can no longer be taken for granted, as natural or static or even as irreversible, given that science has responded to alleviate the suffering of those with sex-gender incongruences with scientific innovations and interventions to physical bodies such as sex-reassignment, gender affirmation surgery and hormonal therapies.

“Gender diversity is not a new phenomenon,” she added. “Historically, all countries have had a third sex or gender, usually where all genders that are not female and male are lumped together and called this ‘third sex’. In recent times, some countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, UK and some states of the United States have officially acknowledged a third gender. Yet, alienation, discrimination and social taboos towards marginalised gender identities continue.”

Speaking on the situation in Sri Lanka, Prof. Wickremesinghe added that the Sri Lankan LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies have been struggling and fighting for their rights for decades. “We need to overcome our subconscious assumptions and cultural prejudices. In order to do so, we need to be open and ready to understand and to be conscious of the terms, vocabulary and definitions related to gender identities that are now being recognized and accepted globally as never before.” 

She shed light on various gender identities and said that new gender identities are constantly being developed globally. “During the course of your work, you may have come across people who may have been psychologically troubled–not only by their internal sex-gender conflicts, but also by the drastic reactions of their families and communities and the State who do not have the knowledge or sensitivity to deal with their trauma. Gender-phobia or transphobia may manifest in actions such as violence, harassment, misrepresentation and exclusion. Needless to say, the official sanctioning of gender diversity requires social transitioning as well, including changes in pronouns, adaptation of new names, changes to dress and appearance. It also involves legal transitioning including official name changes, clear identity cards and birth certificates.”

In conclusion, she said that as a country, Sri Lanka needs to formulate its own solutions, policies and laws to acknowledge gender diverse communities and ensure that they are free from marginalisation and subjugation while appreciating the voluntary nature of Sumithrayo as an organisation, especially in an era of commercialisation.