Thirteen-day ‘Bikeathon’ in Sri Lanka to save lives

The Courage, Compassion and Commitment (CCC Foundation) will commence an  extraordinary 13-day bicycle ride around Sri Lanka on August 29 

• At this year’s Bikeathon 2024, more than 29 dedicated cyclists will cycle around the country
• The cyclists will embark on the first leg, a journey comprising 82 kilometres from Colombo to Kitulgala
• 13-day bicycle ride around Sri Lanka covering 1333 km will start from Colombo on August 29

The Courage, Compassion and Commitment (CCC Foundation) will commence an extraordinary 13-day bicycle ride around Sri Lanka on August 29. At this year’s “Ride to Save Lives” Bikeathon 2024, more than 29 dedicated cyclists will cycle around the country to shed light on mental health and suicide prevention. Starting from Independence Square, the cyclists will embark on the first leg, a journey comprising 82 kilometres from Colombo to Kitulgala. Along the way, other cyclists may join the full-time riders who would be cycling approximately 100 kilometres each day, to bring awareness towards an important factor which is; the value of mental health and well-being to reduce death by suicide.

About the 1333 Bikeathon

“Ride to Save Lives” Bikeathon is an initiative by CCC line 1333, a free and confidential telephone crisis support service in Sri Lanka. This event aims to raise awareness about the vital telephone number 1333, which assist those experiencing stress, anxiety and/or difficulties in their lives that may lead to suicidal thoughts or actions.
In Sri Lanka, between 8 and 10 people die to suicide daily. For every person who dies by suicide, thirty more will be attempting self-harm. The primary goal of CCC line 1333 is to empower individuals to recognise and address the social issues and stigma associated with mental illness that affect their emotional well-being. CCC line 1333 strongly encourages people to speak out about their problems, thereby enabling individuals to address their issues and prevent death by suicide.

Courage, compassion and commitment

CCC line 1333 which is a project of the CCC Foundation, was established in December 2009 and stands for courage, compassion, and commitment. CCC line 1333 crisis supporters are trained under the guidance of Lifeline International, ensuring high-quality assistance, to those who reach out to them. This service is available 24/7, free of charge via any telephone network, and receives over 4000 calls monthly.

Raising Awareness Through the Bikeathon

Throughout the 13 days of “Ride to Save Lives”1333 Bikeathon, CCC line 1333 will present a series of topics aimed at raising awareness about the causes behind suicidal thoughts and the processes of addressing them. These discussions will focus on dispelling the societal stigma that often surrounds mental health issues, encouraging those in need to seek help without being shamed or being judged. 

The 13 topics planned for the 13 days are: 1. Relationships are not the beginning of a problem-

Frustrations/disappointments due to romantic relationships, 2. Family disputes and/or unacceptable relationships or connections- Problems related to these and disputes in families regarding such relationships, 3. Addictions- Drugs, substances and alcohol addiction that might lead to suicide’, 4. Unbearable financial worries - Poverty and Indebtedness, 5. Problems in the workplace and unemployment, 6. Failure in an exam is not a failure in life, 7. Domestic violence - Harassment and unacceptable behaviour of family members, 8. If you a person who is inconvenienced due to harassment, and unwanted/undue influences - at workplaces, in school and in cyberspace (internet), 9. Bereavement or Loss, 10. Depression makes suicide more probable, 11. Anxiety, 12. Terminal diseases/chronic illnesses- Suicide due to physical illness and the burden on caregivers, 13. Suicide is on the rise
The organizers of the event spread the message that ‘If in individual is feeling overwhelmed or discouraged reach out to the 1333 crisis support line—a dedicated service ready to attentively listen and provide the courage to address the issue/ problem effectively. Its crisis supporters are there to assist callers, and if needed the crisis supporters will refer the caller to an appropriate service provider for further assistance. No person has to face issues alone; assistance is just a call away’.