Dear Celina,
I applaud you for your initiative. I wish I was in Goa and I would definitely
have done some leg-work with you. After reading the topic on Goanet, someone
informed me that Samaritans are in operation in India.
http://www.karmayog.com/ngos/samaritanshelpline.htm
As yet, we do not have a branch in Goa. I suspect one easy way would be to get
in touch with the branch in Mumbai and see if they are keen to lend their
support in opening one in Goa. I suspect, if the idea takes seed, the various
womens groups in Goa would be keen to assist. It isn't too difficult to get in
touch with Audo Viegas, who is a prominent women's rights activist. She is from
Margao. The main problem will be getting relevant funds organised. In this,
Samaritans Mumbai might be able to give us an idea of how to go about raising
funds. Perhaps in the beginning, a low budget operation would suffice, getting
volunteers and their numbers listed. Suicide and depression are more prevalent
among women than men. Men tend to medicate their mental health problems through
alcohol, drugs and sexual excessiveness.
Please do let me know if there is some way I can help to take this forward.
best,
selma
