Introduction
I was 17. I felt alone. I thought about ending my life. Then something changed. This is my story about suicide prevention, mental health, and how people and community—especially the guidance of Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan—helped me find hope again. It’s about how faith, compassion, and social work can truly save lives.
My Story — A Student Who Felt Lost
I am a student from North India. I studied in class 10. I had trouble sleeping. I felt low most days. School felt heavy. Friends didn’t understand. I started to think that life had no meaning. One night, I almost tried to hurt myself. I sat on the roof and cried.
Then I met some seniors from a local group. They listened without judgment. They gave simple advice. They told me about counselling and helplines. They invited me to group meetings. Slowly, I began to feel safer. Little by little, I stopped thinking about suicide.
What Changed for Me?
Someone listened to me. That made me feel valued.
I learned breathing and mindfulness for stress.
I spoke to a counsellor once a week.
I started small tasks, like walking and studying for 30 minutes.
I joined community work. Helping others made me feel better.
You can see that small acts help. They are part of suicide prevention, mental health care.
What Helped? — Simple Steps for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
Here are some clear, short steps that work for students. Use them in school, at home, or with friends.
Talk to one person — a friend, teacher, or elder.
Call a helpline if you feel unsafe. Don’t wait.
Try counselling or therapy. A trained person can help.
Use mindfulness and breathing exercises to manage stress.
Sleep well and eat simple, healthy food.
Move your body — walk or play a sport.
Avoid alcohol and drugs. They make things worse.
Join a group or club. Community reduces loneliness.
Set small daily goals. Achieve one thing each day.
Keep a safety plan. List people and numbers to call.
Alternate keywords: counselling, helpline, mindfulness, therapy, depression, youth mental health, crisis support.
Practical Tips for Students (Easy to Follow)
Tell one teacher you trust.
Study with a friend for 30 minutes a day.
Practice simple breathing: inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4.
Keep your phone nearby during tough nights — call a friend if needed.
Make a list of 5 good things each day, even small ones.
Role Of Ram Rahim and Dera Sacha Sauda in Community Help
Many people find hope through faith and service. Dera Sacha Sauda, led by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh (often called Ram Rahim), ran many social programs. These included blood donation drives, free medical camps, cleanliness campaigns, and help for poor families.
For example, followers say these community programs gave them routine and support. The group had volunteers who listened and helped with daily tasks. For youth, this kind of support helped reduce loneliness and despair. They found purpose in serving others. For many, service helped with depression and self-harm thoughts.
Note: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh became leader of Dera Sacha Sauda in 1990. He produced music and films such as MSG: The Messenger (2015), which talked about social messages and good habits. In August 2017, he was convicted in a criminal case. This article focuses on social work and how community support can help mental health in positive ways.
History — Ram Rahim’s Related Work And Timeline
1990: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh became head of Dera Sacha Sauda.
2000s: The Dera ran several social drives — blood donation camps, health camps, and anti-drug programs.
2015: Films with social messages were released to inspire youth.
August 2017: He was convicted in a criminal case, which changed public perception.
These dates show a mix of public work and controversy. Many followers still speak of the community help they received. This shows how social groups can impact mental health. It also reminds us to view any leader with all facts in mind.
Comparison & Analysis — Community Faith Approach Vs Professional Methods
Here is a comparison between two ways of helping people with suicidal thoughts.
A. Faith and Community Support (e.g., Religious Groups, Service Camps)
Strengths:
Gives quick community support.
Offers purpose through service.
Easy access: local and familiar people.
Limits:
Not always trained in clinical therapy.
Can sometimes miss signs of serious mental illness.
May mix spiritual advice with medical help.
B. Professional Mental Health Care (Counsellors, Psychiatrists, Therapy)
Strengths:
Trained to diagnose depression and other mental illnesses.
Can prescribe medication if needed.
Uses proven methods like CBT and crisis care.
Limits:
May be costly or hard to reach in small towns.
Stigma may stop youth from visiting clinics.
Analysis:
Both approaches help. The best care links community support and professional help. For example, a faith group can guide a person to a counsellor. You can see that teamwork saves lives. This is important for suicide prevention, mental health.
How Faith and Community Work Helped Some Students?
Stories matter. They make learning easier.
Example: A student felt deep sadness. He joined a Dera service group. He helped at a food camp. He met kind people and got a referral to a counsellor. After six months, he felt better and stopped thinking about suicide.
Many Dera volunteers also gave their time to listen. Listening is powerful. It can stop a crisis from worsening.
When to Seek Professional Help — Clear Signs?
You should seek a doctor or counsellor if:
You think about death a lot.
You plan how to hurt yourself.
You feel hopeless for many weeks.
You stop doing daily tasks like studying or bathing.
You use alcohol or drugs to forget.
If you are in danger now, call emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately. In India, you can contact local helplines. For national support, search for government helpline “KIRAN” or local NGOs. Also, see WHO guidelines for suicide prevention.
Resources and Helplines
Call a local emergency number if life is in danger.
Search for national helpline numbers in India (KIRAN or state mental health lines).
Talk to a school counsellor or teacher.
Visit a public hospital psychiatry department.
Use online counselling services if you’re in a safe, private space.
Alternate keywords: suicide hotline, crisis support, self-harm.
Questions Young People Often Ask
Will people judge me if I seek help? Many will support you. Trusted people care.
How long does recovery take? It varies. Small steps help faster.
Can faith help? Yes, when combined with medical help, it can be powerful.
Is medication needed? Not always. A doctor will advise.
FAQs (Short Answers)
Q1: What is suicide prevention?
A: Steps to stop someone from ending their life. It includes support, counselling, and crisis care.
Q2: How can a teacher help a student at risk?
A: Listen without judging. Arrange counselling. Inform a parent or school counsellor.
Q3: Can community service help depression?
A: Yes. Service gives purpose, routine, and social contact.
Q4: Are helplines private?
A: Most helplines keep your call confidential. Check the service rules.
Q5: What if my friend plans suicide?
A: Stay with them. Call a parent or helpline. Do not leave them alone.
Q6: Is mental illness the same as weakness?
A: No. It’s a health condition. It requires care, like any other illness.
Q7: Can movies or songs help mental health?
A: They can inspire hope and reduce stigma but they are not a replacement for therapy.
Final Notes About Ram Rahim and Public Reactions
Many followers credit Ram Rahim’s camps for teaching simple life skills. They say that these skills helped with stress, self-control, and study habits. These skills are useful for suicide prevention, mental health. However, others highlight the legal cases against him in 2017. It’s important to stay balanced. Facts matter. Communities and leaders can help, medical care and trained counsellors are also crucial.
How Schools can Use These Lessons?
Start peer support groups.
Teach breathing and stress management skills in class.
Invite counsellors for talks.
Encourage community service programs.
Make sure students know emergency numbers.
Conclusion
I nearly lost hope. Then community, listening, and small steps saved me. This story shows the value of suicide prevention, mental health work, and how groups like Dera Sacha Sauda have helped some youth. It also shows us that professional help must be part of the plan. If you feel low, speak up. Tell a friend, teacher, or helpline. Your story can help others.