With the issue of mental health problems rising exponentially, schools and universities are merely reaching the verge of realizing the importance of addressing these problems.
Fortunately, there are many societies, social media pages, and websites that offer free (and anonymous) help to victims of depression, especially people contemplating suicide. PAPYRUS is an organization that not only hosts a helpline to advise those in need, but also trains professionals and gives talks at universities and colleges. PAPYRUS helps those facing the idea of suicide, but also aids the people around the sufferer.
On a larger scale, PAPYRUS also use their experience to campaign for the cause. In fact, their website quotes that they “draw from the experience of many whom have been touched personally by young suicide across the UK and speak on their behalf in our campaigns and in our endeavors to save young lives.” PAPYRUS does not just aim to directly help those contemplating suicide, but rather aims to raise awareness through the media and the internet. Physically, they have two offices and are regularly looking for volunteers to spread their message.
The path leading up to PAPYRUS was one of personal passion; it was founded by a mother who lost her son to suicide, and the project expanded as more parents joined. Since 1997, they have been sharing their stories and experiences in order to help to remove the stigma around suicide and to help parents and family members of victims cope.
PAPYRUS believe that one of the main reasons the number of young suicides is rising is because of the stigma around it, which keeps people from speaking out or asking for help. And so, being an anonymous website, PAPYRUS is a great place to start—whether for yourself or for someone whom you know. Ultimately, the most basic human instinct is to survive, but sometimes we forget that our greatest enemy is ourselves.
