Turkey: Project launched to prevent suicides

By Ugur Islamoglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Turkish mental health association has launched a project as part of efforts to prevent suicides in the country.

The project – named IMDAT (Hold on to Counseling Network in Combating Suicide) – has been supported by the Turkish Youth and Sports Ministry.

Out of 1,800 psychologists, who wanted to volunteer in the project, 81 were selected for all 81 provinces in the country.

After receiving online training given by experts at the Mental Health Association, the volunteers will engage people likely to attempt suicide.

Omer Akgul, the head of the association, told Anadolu Agency that some people lost their motivation to continue living during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need every life, every soul, every breath. We do not have the luxury of losing anyone,” Akgul said.

He said the association will give training to the volunteers for a year and they will work to prevent suicides for the next two years.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar​​​​​​​