ANNUAL REPORT OF SANJEEVANI 2020-21

Sanjeevani Befriending Centre

PRA 242-A, Vengal Nagar, Parottukonam, Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 015

Phone: 9400033900, 0471-2533900

Website: sanjeevanitrivandrum.com
Email-snajeevanitrivandrum@gmail.com

Even though covid curtailed many of the usual activities all around

Sanjeevani marched ahead by finding new procedures and avenues for dispensing its

social commitment. Times were hard but the volunteers kept their ears and mind tuned

to the cries for help with the support of technology. Face to face befriending was

almost totally substituted by telephonic and email befriending. The volunteers during

this period extensively utilized the possibilities of electronic media for self-development

as well as for providing support to the needy.

January

Five volunteers participated in a seminar conducted by Mind Port at Mar Ivanios

College, Trivandrum. Dr. Arun B Nair, Psychiatrist, Medical College Trivandrum was

the leading resource person. He detailed on the activities of Sanjeevani during his

sessions and that went a long way in consolidating the position of Sanjeevani in this

locality in the matter of suicide prevention.

February

Normal activities continued undisturbed. Covid was spreading its tentacles which had

telling effect on the volume of befriending activities.

March

The center was closed to face-to-face befriending due to lockdown. Call forwarding

facility was inducted and a new mobile number was acquired. The number of calls were
high during this period. An article in the June edition of popular women’s magazine

‘Vanitha’ which highlighted the services and contact details of Sanjeevani contributed

to a spurt in the number of calls during this period.

September

Sanjeevani organized a national webinar in connection with World Suicide Prevention

Day.Adv. Rajesh R Pillai, President B I and Adv. Nagesh Sood, Secretary BI were the

Chief guests. Sebastian Arakal,President ICTA and Prof. Dr. Motti Zacheria (RCI

India) were the other dignitaries who felicitated the function. The session was

inaugurated by Sanjeevani Director Matius Vengal and Dr. M D Ajitha Bai, Dep.

Director spoke on the activities of Sanjeevani.Dr. Jayakumar made a presentation on

the topic ‘Suicide Problem and Prevention’. Nagesh Sood in his talk highlighted the

theme of WHO ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide’.

October

Sanjeevani in collaboration with Dept. of Psychology Mahatma Ggandi

College ,Trivandrum and National Service Scheme unit of MG College organized a

webinar on October 10 in connection with World Mental Health Day. Dr,Cherian

Varghese (WHO) who was also the coordinator of mental health management of NCDS

gave the keynote address. The talk highlighted the programs of WHO in the

management of mental health worldwide. The other presenters were Adv. Rajesh R

Pillai, President BI, Adv. Nagesh Sood, Secretary B I, Dr.M.S. Anil Kumar, Principal,

M G College and Dr. M.D. Ajitha bai, Dep. Director, Sanjeevani.

November

The centre resumed its normal activities when the lockdown was lifted. Dr. Emilia

Abraham, one of the volunteers of Sanjeevani got included in the list of top 2%
scientists of the world in the list prepared by Stanford University USA. Sanjeevani

organized a special function to congratulate her on this achievement.

The total number of calls received during this year was 325. Seventeen e-mail

befriending were also executed during this period. Due to the restrictions of lockdown

face to face befriending could be carried out only to limited extend. The lock down and

covid restrictions also prevented Sanjeevani from keeping the pace of its extension

activities. However, the members were active in social media online platforms. Monthly

meetings were also conducted online. The members used to come together twice a

month in one of its learning platform Atelier and discuss matters of general interest

with special emphasis on general health. The platform was also used to spread the

message of befriending and the information regarding the service activities of

Sanjeevani.

07/10/2021

Secretary