we care

A surprisingly large number of people consider killing themselves at some point of time in their lives. It is an unique emergency and requires special handling.

Befrienders India is based on the concept of an ordinary human being offering friendship to another at a time of crisis or loneliness. It is to respond to a suicidal person on an equal level and treat him or her exactly as we ourselves would want to be treated - with unconditional, uncritical acceptance and respect, and more importantly with utmost confidentiality.

The timely support given at the critical juncture makes it possible to prevent suicide. In this stress filled modern life, people are plagued with various problems and anxieties, some of which may be difficult to be discussed with friends and relatives. They will invariably find in us someone who will listen to him and his problems with attention, warmth and understanding, and unconditionally accept them for what they are.

How you can share your feelings with us?

	Face -to-face personal befriending
	Befriending through telephone
	Befriending through letters
	Befriending through e-mail (to be initiated shortly)

To know the contact address of your nearest center please click here.

We listen to people who are depressed and have suicidal feelings, and are in need of our services. We play a passive participant in the process and do not make any value judgment or provide advice. We just listen compassionately to their emotional outpourings.

We do not charge for our services, which are provided to all at free of cost. We believe in absolute confidentiality and the caller/ contacting person could remain to be anonymous while talking with us. This enables people to unburden their feelings without any fer or reservation.

How do we do it?

Through volunteer befriending. Befrienders India is manned by around 300 dedicated volunteers giving a combined 1000 hours per week to help their fellow human beings without any personal rewards. They give their time and themselves so that the victims could ventilate their feelings to them.

The volunteers having basic qualities of warmth, tolerance and understanding are carefully selected and undergo preparatory courses before volunteering their services through us. They are also provided regular ongoing training sessions to help them assist people under emotional stress.