Aasra - Helping people in despair

AASRA's dedicated volunteers extend their services through Outreach programmes, reaching out to individuals who may contemplate ending their lives due to enduring suffering or terminal illnesses. Additionally, it collaborates with a network of various NGOs and professionals to provide comprehensive care to those in need. Its committed volunteers have conducted Suicide Awareness workshops, organised competitions and exhibitions, trained over 5,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds in the art of Befriending and Non-directive counselling, and equipped them with essential skills for providing active emotional support to those facing depression and suicidal thoughts. This training also covers topics such as HIV/AIDS awareness and effective first aid for prevention.

In an unwavering commitment to preventing suicides during high-stress examinations and result periods, AASRA volunteers have displayed exceptional dedication. They willingly dedicate their time and effort to man the helplines continuously, often for extended shifts lasting 12 to 24 hours, for a duration of up to 15 days. This selfless commitment ensures that individuals facing immense stress during these critical times have access to the support and assistance they need, contributing significantly to the well-being of those in distress.

Workshop 1 focuses on developing social skills, including communication, body language, active listening, and assertiveness. In the segment about body language, participants learn to distinguish between positive and negative body language in various contexts, such as conversations and receiving instructions or criticism from a supervisor. Active listening skills are explored through practice in role-play scenarios, and the workshop concludes with training on assertiveness, emphasizing the use of assertive statements to express oneself effectively in different role-play situations.

Workshop 2 addresses various aspects of social skills. It begins with a session on coping skills, offering interactive activities to identify personal and group stresses and teaching relaxation techniques. The next segment is focused on anger management, distinguishing between feelings and behaviours, and tracking anger through a journal. Conflict resolution techniques are explored in the following section, emphasizing different conflicts, appropriate resolution methods, and practical exercises. The workshop continues with coping skills training, covering relaxation activities, deep-breathing techniques, and self-instruction during role-plays. It concludes with a discussion of leisure skills and the benefits of meaningful outside activities, along with self-identified preferences.