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Monday 10am - 6pm Tuesday 10am - 6pm Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 6pm

Connecting NGO

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Connecting NGO

We are committed to the cause of suicide prevention and mental health! Ours is a volunteer run organization.

'Every Life Counts"
Connecting TRUST was formed in July 2005 by a group of concerned citizens under the guidance of Arnavaz Damania. The group has a fervent desire to extend support to those experiencing emotional distress. Several trained volunteers contribute their time and effort to the cause, making it possible for Connecting TRUST to expand both the scope as well as the reach of its work in the field of Suicide Prevention. DISTRESS HELPLINE
The helpline is for those in emotional distress or feeling suicidal, provides a space where the volunteer listens to the caller in an accepting, non-judgemental and non-advisory way, maintaining confidentiality and anonymity. It is open from 10 am to 8 pm on all days

OUTREACH PROGRAMME
The Outreach Programmes are for sensitizing one to issues related to Emotional Awareness and Suicide – how to identify signs of stress, distress or feeling suicidal; how to help someone feeling suicidal; how to care for someone who has had a suicide loss. These activity-based programmes of about 50-60 minutes, conducted for children, adolescents and adults at schools, colleges, corporate companies, housing societies, slums, NGOs, and other community setups are adapted to the needs of the group and facilitated by volunteers. PEER EDUCATION PROGRAMME
The Peer Education Programme is for creating caring communities in schools, colleges and other community setups by raising awareness about suicide prevention in a peer group. In this long-term programme, volunteers facilitate the process of sensitization of a select group of participants from a community to issues related to suicide prevention, and enhancement of their listening, self care and life skills. The participants (’peer educators’) then become the catalysts for spreading this awareness and empowering their communities. The regular meetings of peer educators in each community are guided and facilitated by a dedicated set of volunteers for that community. SUICIDE SURVIVOR SUPPORT PROGRAMME
We offer individual emotional support to anyone who has attempted suicide and survived or has lost someone to Suicide, individually through our SSP helpline service, and through Listening Circles for group support. VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Connecting TRUST tries to meet the existing gap of the dearth of the mental health professionals by training people from all walks of life. When volunteers join in from all walks of life, it represents a joining in from all sections of society towards the cause or providing emotional support to people in distress and suicide prevention.

01/04/2026

Everyone is fighting their own battles.

Let's be kind to each other, and help make this world a better place to live in.

***deprevention

30/03/2026

If you are in emotional pain and want to talk to someone who will understand you and not judge you, feel free to call us.

Distress Helpline:
9922004305 / 9922001122
(lines open daily from 10 am to 8 pm)

Walk-In:
8484033312
(Mon & Wed. 11 am to 5 pm. With prior appointment)

If you are comfortable writing, email your concerns:
distressmailsconnecting@gmail.com

***deprevention

27/03/2026

When you are distressed, and don’t have anyone to talk to or someone who will understand you, feel free to call us.

Distress Helpline:
9922004305 / 9922001122
(lines open daily from 10 am to 8 pm)

Walk-In:
8484033312
(Mon & Wed. 11 am to 5 pm.
With prior appointment)

If you are comfortable writing, email your concerns:
distressmailsconnecting@gmail.com

***deprevention

25/03/2026

On March 13, we facilitated two awareness sessions at DY Patil Arts, Commerce & Science College, Pimpri.

To calm everyone down and help them be fully present in the moment, both the sessions started with the grounding exercise.

This was followed by activities that focussed on emotional awareness. The sessions slowly and gradually moved on to cover the topics of su***de and self-care.

With utmost care and sensitivity, our facilitators involved the students and the staff in this interaction to reflect on these topics.

The students were thoroughly engrossed in the sessions and participated wholeheartedly.

***deprevention

23/03/2026

Here are some myths about su***de.

Let’s debunk these common misconceptions and understand the actual facts and warning signs of su***de.

Understanding the warning signs that may suggest someone is having suicidal thoughts could help save someone’s life.

***deprevention

20/03/2026

If you are feeling emotional pain, feel free to talk to us. We are here for you.

Our Distress Helpline Numbers:
9922004305 / 9922001122
(lines open daily from 10 am to 8 pm)

Walk-In: 8484033312
(Mon & Wed. 11 am to 5 pm. With prior appointment)

If you are comfortable writing,
Email your concerns: distressmailsconnecting@gmail.com

***deprevention

17/03/2026

An ardent volunteer, her sincerity and tenderness inspire us always. Saminaz Dean has been volunteering with Connecting Trust for over a decade now. Currently she volunteers for the Distress Helpline Programme.

In the past, she has effectively played the roles of a mentor and trainer. Whenever she is in the office, you will find her sitting quietly, sincerely doing her work.

While Saminaz credits the organisation for making her life more meaningful, we are glad to have a committed person like her working for the cause.

Connecting Trust completed 20 years in 2025. As we look back on our journey, we feel grateful to everyone who joined hands with us to work towards the cause of su***de prevention and mental health.

We would especially like to thank each of our volunteers, who are our backbone. Today the organisation stands firm on the strong shoulders of our dear volunteers.

***deprevention

13/03/2026

On March 8, most of us must have celebrated International Women’s Day with great fervour.

Now. Let’s take a reality check.

Are women really celebrated on a daily basis in India?

The reality presents a harsh picture:

• According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data, 164,033 su***des were reported in India, in 2021.

• As per NCRB report, 44,498 women died by su***de in 2020.

• In 2021, Su***de Death Rate (SDR) was highest in the 45–59 age group among women.

• Women in India have twice the SDR compared with the global average.

• In the last one year, we received in total 475 calls from distressed women on our helpline.

On Connecting’s distress helpline, we mainly receive calls from women who are facing domestic violence, family/ relationship issues, or abuse of any kind.

The most common reasons for su***de among women include family problems, prolonged health issues and oppressive ramifications of the patriarchal system.

Su***de cases are mostly observed in unemployed women in India.

***deprevention

11/03/2026

With full spirit and hope, everyone actively participated in the Women’s Day programme ‘Celebrating Women: Caring For Her Mind’ on March 9, organised by Connecting Trust in association with KEM Hospital.

The panel, moderated by Dr Bobby Zachariah (CSR Manager, Eaton India Foundation and Principal Investigator, Impact of SALT Methodology on Su***de Survivors), included Shirin Wadia (CEO, KEM Hospital), Dr Mugdha Parasnis (Gynaecologist and Head of Department, KEM IVF Centre), Dr Amit Nulkar (Psychiatrist), Adv Gandha Sahu (Trustee, Connecting Trust and Advocate, Mediator), and Prof Dr Jaya Rajagopalan (Senior Academic and Psychologist).

The panellists offered significant insights into women’s mental health. They shared different perspectives including physical and behavioural changes observed in people with mental health issues, creating support systems, legal aspects, systemic changes, and more.

A few aspects that they upheld unanimously were the importance of talking about mental health, listening, reducing the stigma around the subject, and creating support systems at community levels.

Dr Parasnis said, “It’s important to talk and come out with your mental health issues to reduce the stigma around it.”

Wadia, supporting her viewpoint, highlighted that the stigma surrounding mental health should first be broken by the individual going through a related issue by being vocal about their personal experience.

“Very few people need to go to a psychiatrist or counsellor if you find the right help. Having a good listener is good enough. The power of listening is largely undervalued,” pointed out Dr Nulkar.

Dr Rajagopalan emphasised that there needs to be a paradigm shift beyond institutions. She spoke of setting up ecosystems in smaller pockets in schools and colleges; spaces where youngsters can talk without being judged.

Highlighting the importance of creating support systems, Adv Sahu, said, “Women should take care of themselves with the help of people around them. Support means listening, understanding and offering small help.”

08/03/2026

She is innately drawn towards caring for others. In her sensitivity lies her strength.

No matter what the circumstances are, women shine in their own ways due to their sheer grit and resilience.

Today, she knows better, and has learnt to be her own saviour and care for her own well-being.

Let’s take a pause. Acknowledge the women in our lives for everything they are and do for us.

Let’s cheer them, celebrate them, today and every day.

Come, join us in this celebration on March 9.

Venue: Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Research Centre, TDH Building, KEM Hospital, Pune

To register, click the link in bio

(Please note: Registration is free but compulsory.)

***deprevention

05/03/2026

As the new year began, with renewed energy we continued with the facilitation of awareness sessions at Karunya Care Centre.

Caregivers, who are trained here, find it important to learn about emotions as their work revolves around offering empathy, care and emotional support to others, on a daily basis.

With our awareness sessions, we hold space for them to share their emotions, experiences, and distresses.

As they feel safe, they share their vulnerabilities and deepest thoughts and emotional pain.

So, in these sessions they not only become aware about emotions and su***de but also find a safe space to share their lived experiences.

***deprevention

04/03/2026

The ups and downs in life can leave us flustered and wanting to find ways to stay calm.

In our everyday life, we can have moments when we feel low and anxious. There can be extended phases when we are distressed.

Let’s start small...

A simple grounding practice in our daily life can help us connect with the present moment.

A small step towards finding calm, even if just for a few seconds in a day.

***deprevention

Address

2nd Floor, Atur Chambers, Above Coffee House, Opposite SGS Mall, Moledina Road, Pune Camp
Pune
411001

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 6pm
Tuesday	10am - 6pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 6pm
Friday	10am - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 6pm

Telephone

+917058877712

Website

https://www.linkedin.com/company/connectingtrust/

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Our Story

A Pune based NGO committed to the cause of su***de prevention especially among youth. Formed in July 2005 when a group of concerned and socially sensitive citizens, led by Arnavaz Damania, came together to work for this cause HELPLINE The helpline is for those in emotional distress or feeling suicidal, provides a space where the volunteer listens to the caller in an accepting, non-judgemental and non-advisory way, maintaining confidentiality and anonymity. It is open from 2.00 pm to 8.00 pm on all days AWARENESS PROGRAMME The Awareness Programmes are for sensitizing one to issues related to su***de – how to identify signs of stress, distress or feeling suicidal; how to help someone feeling suicidal; how to care for someone who has had a su***de loss. The programmes also impart knowledge about simple ways for coping, healing and personal growth. These activity-based programmes of about 3 hours, conducted for children, adolescents and adults at schools, colleges, corporates, housing societies, slums, NGOs, and other community setups are adapted to the needs of the group and facilitated by volunteers. PEER EDUCATORS PROGRAMME The Peer Educators Programmes are for creating caring communities in schools, colleges and other community setups by raising awareness about su***de prevention in a peer group. In this long-term programme, volunteers facilitate the process of sensitization of a select group of participants from a community to issues related to su***de prevention, and enhancement of their listening, self care and life skills. The participants (’peer educators’) then become the catalysts for spreading this awareness and empowering their communities. The regular meetings of peer educators in each community are guided and facilitated by a dedicated set of volunteers for that community. SURVIVOR SUPPORT We offer individual emotional support to anyone who has attempted su***de and survived through our helpline service, and group support for wellbeing through our Art Based Recovery/Wellness Group that meets weekly. In addition, there is support through discussions and workshops on coping skills and personal growth available. Capacity Building Programmes for professionals working in the field of mental health. Discussion Groups aimed at enhancing self-awareness, ensuring personal growth and becoming empowered to deal with a variety of issues concerning human and social life. Personal Growth Programmes: Workshops for personal growth and healing are conducted and are open for all to attend