sumunum connect

is a FREE multi-lingual wellbeing support line

with a call-back, follow up service

available 11 am to 11 pm, daily

1800-123-786868

the covid-19 pandemic has had a debilitating impact on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and the larger ecosystem. in light of these extraordinary circumstances, the need to connect with one another is urgent and immediate. connection to provide reliable information; to support; to offer relief & respite; to listen; to share in losses; to problem solve; to share joys; to gather & manage resources; and to remind each other that we are not alone.

as a continued commitment to wellbeing, we have initiated

sumunum connect - a telephonic support line. sumunum connect is a free, centralised toll free, multi-lingual, emotional health and wellbeing service.

call us on our toll free number

available from 11 am to 11 pm everyday

a non-judgemental and safe space for individuals to share their stories, struggles, and experiences, we offer problem solving and handholding support to manage daily struggles and provide crisis intervention services to help people navigate acute mental health needs.

and any other well being related issues that you would like to work through

in addition, we offer specific information resources pertaining to mindfulness, art based interventions and activities that can be done to alleviate distress and promote wellbeing. for individuals who have diagnosed mental health conditions, who are unable to access their current care providers, connect also offers a specialist ‘call-back’ service from a psychiatrist / relevant mental health professional to provide support.

sumunum connect is currently run by a multidisciplinary team that includes mental health professionals, coaches, mental health service users, arts practitioners, teachers, palliative care, specialists, doctors, social entrepreneurs & lawyers. all non-mental health professionals have undergone an intensive 100 hour training programme in:

our team is constantly striving to ensure that every voice is heard.

we also recognise the courage, grit and determination it takes to reach out. so we are sharing a few narratives of courage & resilience in the hopes that it will inspire others in similar situations of distress to reach out:

work and life balance
fears and insecurities.
emotions and moods management
negative thought patterns

pandemic associated fears
general and specific anxieties
mental health crises and distresses
coping mechanisms and strategies
self-harm thoughts and tendencies

psychological first aid
counselling micro skills
non judgemental listening & responding
enabling caring conversations & creating safe spaces.

connect narratives

trigger warning: suicidal attempt and ideation

gayatri had been feeling lonely & hopeless for over a year, ever since her husband passed away. she managed to make ends meet as a domestic worker. however, shortly after the covid-19 lockdown, she was forced to stay home like many others. this period of staying home intensified her feelings of loneliness and anxiety, and she also began to experience suicidal thoughts.

on a day when these thoughts became extremely overwhelming and she saw no way out, she attempted to die by suicide. at this point, she reached out to sumunum connect.

our volunteer worked with her towards reaching a calmer and more stable emotional state, creating a safety plan, identifying ways to handle her distress & strengthening self care practices. our team also made consistent follow-up calls to keep a check on her safety and wellbeing.

note: consent to share narratives anonymously has been obtained. names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

we look forward to shared spaces and taking small steps in a combined effort to create a stronger sense of self and wellbeing.

contact tracing

sumunum collaborated with the greater chennai corporation, in order to converge efforts and ensure that services are available to those who need it the most. sumunum volunteers worked with the state run psychosocial helpline & lent support in contact tracing - the process of supporting patients and warning contacts of exposure in order to stop chains of transmission.

we engaged with medical professionals, mental health professionals, social workers & municipal authorities to offer support. our conversations were focused on enabling stronger wellbeing for -- people across the state who tested covid-19 positive, caregivers, those in contact with others tested positive, people going through periods of quarantine, self-isolation / admissions to hospitals & those staying away from their homes, and in need of essential supplies.

our effort to counter the pandemic and work towards healthy lives and living ⠀

want to help? do consider contributing to sumunum connect!

we are always on the lookout for more volunteers!

if you would like to join our team, please get in touch. we would love to have a conversation with you!

contact

contribute