In 2016 and 2017 Lifeline Fiji received about 12,000 calls and assisted over 10,000 Fijians through their psychological and emotional well-being programs.
This was highlighted by the Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau while speaking at the Lifeline Gala Dinner that was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
He says Lifeline Fiji is currently the only organization in Fiji that is dedicated to suicide prevention, intervention, and response.
Nailatikau says the youngest suicide victim in Fiji is a 7-year-old who committed suicide in 2017, while this year the youngest is an 11-year-old child.
He adds that currently, the national suicide count is at 14 compared to 8 the same period last year.
Nailatikau says that every suicide is a tragedy where one life can cause a ripple effect through immediate families and the community.
Meanwhile, former New Zealand 7s Captain, DJ Forbes who was the Chief Guest at the Gala says that he is here to raise awareness around mental health where they want to show people living with such problems that there is support for them.
Forbes says that dealing with mental health is not easy but with the support from families and friends this problem can be exterminated.
The Gala was attended by people from all works of life who wanted to show support for the work being done by Lifeline Fiji.
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