Mangaluru diocese to organise campaign against suicide on March 1

MANGALURU: Laudato Si committee of Mangaluru diocese will organise campaign against suicide on March 1 in all parishes of the diocese. The campaign will be organised under leadership of the Bishop Most Rev Peter Paul Saldanha.
Bishop Most Rev Peter Paul Saldanha, through the committee, has taken up similar other campaigns, including Laudato Si campaign, where saplings were planted in 124 parishes in Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod districts on a regular basis every year.
With this year proclaimed as "Year of Life-2020" in the diocese with the tagline "Human life is precious, care and protect it", the campaign against suicide will see Holy Mass offered with homily and prayers in all churches of the diocese in Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod. All people will take a pledge that they will face any life-threatening situation bravely than thinking of suicide. They will also pledge to help people with suicidal tendencies to overcome the same.
This will be done by accompaniment, giving positive strokes and arranging counselling as far as possible. Over 1 lakh handbills containing information in English and Kannada, about educating and helping people to protect human life, will be distributed to people on the day to create awareness about the campaign. All parishes have been requested to organise seminars/workshop, awareness programmes on the issue at their level and involve people of all religions.
A team of 50 resource persons who are qualified in this field will held conduct the programme. Organisers of the campaign are provided access to existing toll-free helpline number to prevent suicide and people with such tendencies may call 0824-2983444 (24x7) to prevent it. Committee will distribute over a lakh yellow ribbons with those joining the campaign wearing it on the dress on March 2 during the whole day, wherever they are to create awareness.
To attract youth and others a ‘Happy Face Photo contest’ has been organised for the public. Any person above 12 years of age can participate in this contest by sending a bust size photo (Face only) either a selfie or photograph of oneself to WhatsApp number 7090449999 before April 30. Best and happiest face of man/woman will be awarded Rs 10000 each. Results will be announced before May 15, Fr Vijay Victor Lobo, PRO of the diocese said.