Free Telephone Counselling service in Sri Lanka (Call 1333)

CCCline is a free Telephone Counselling service in Sri Lanka that provides emotional support and guidance for people facing difficulties or simply wants to talk to someone about their problems. By dialing CCCline’s 1333 number, callers will speak to trained telephone counsellors who are willing to listen and assist.

It offers the caller counselling as well as a referral to other support services. CCCline is a confidential and a non-judgmental service where the caller will be treated with utmost respect.

The primary objective of CCCline is to support people cope with crisis and get back on their feet. It also aims to support people build resilience to enable them to deal with future challenges.

People of all ages are encouraged to call if they are experiencing difficulties with domestic violence, familydisputes, relationship and marital problems, sexual abuse, workplace issues, psychiatric illness and disorders, drug and alcohol issues, child abuse, mental health concerns, bullying at school or workplace,examination and study pressures, dealing with death of a loved one, divorce, personal issues or any concerns that are affecting their emotional wellbeing. CCCline operates 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. To find out more about CCCline visit www.cccline.org

Literacy and IT literacy in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Literacy is pretty impressive with a rate of about 94.2%, which is not only high in a third world country, but also quite commendable in the whole of South Asia. Sri Lanka Literacy applies to any person who is over 15, can write and read properly as well as understand simple, short sentences pertaining to daily life. Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate is2005-2010, male 97 % and female 99 %.

By contrast a survey has revealed that computer literacy rate in Sri Lanka is very low and only 10 % of the household population in the age group 5-69 are computer literate. The survey was conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics.

In addition the survey has revealed that computers, internet and email facilities available in households are also very low. At national level only 3.8% of the households have computers. Sector wise 10.1% of the urban households, 3.1% of the rural households and 0.3% of the estate households have computers. At national level only 0.9% and 0.7% households have access to e-mail and Internet respectively.

Mental Health Issues In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country with a serious mental health problem, grown worse by the tsunami of December 2004 and decades of violent civil conflict. The country has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Yet, mental health services are not adequately funded in the healthcare system. The country has only 56 psychiatrists, mostly based in Colombo and other urban areas. Most people have to make long, stressful and expensive journeys to access mental health services.

The reality is that it is the poor who suffer the most from mental illness because of their inability to access both information and services. The stigma attached to mental illness is also most evident among the poor. Without treatment, a mentally ill person can also become functionally disabled − they most often require a full-time care-giver − usually a female relative − who forgoes her own job. There is a drop in income, and a sharp rise in expenditure. Mental illness contributes to poverty and is made worse by poverty.

Another critical problem is the country’s remarkably low awareness on mental health issues. A large number of people do not know that they have mental health problems and delays in identification worsen their conditions.

  

Ageing Lanka 

Sri Lanka is one of the few developing countries in the world which has an ageing population equivalent to that of a developed country and is also faced with one of the fastest growing ageing populations in Asia. It is predicted that the population over 60 years of age will double in less than 20 years with the percentage of the over 60’s rising to 18% in 2020 and 27% in 2040.

“Day After Tomorrow” is a scholarship programme for underprivileged school children in Nikaweratiya. The scholarship winners are selected based on criteria set by the foundation committee members. Under the programme each selected student receives Rs.3000/= per month and their progress will be monitored throughout the year. Donors receive annual reports detailing academic successes and other information about the beneficiaries of their endowments.