15-year mission of the CCC Foundation

The Bikeathon started on August 29 at Independence Square.

“Every day, more than 11 people commit suicide, while another 20 fail to make it,” announced the CCC Foundation, which launched its 1333 helpline, Sri Lanka’s largest crisis support service with a 24/7 telephone service. Celebrating almost 15 years of life-saving service, the CCC Foundation recognizes three words starting with the letter “C” – courage, compassion and commitment. The helpline currently receives more than 200 calls a day, which, if not answered, would have led to the unfortunate and premature end of many precious lives on an island that, a few years ago, had one of the highest suicide rates in the world. According to data, a few years before 2000, the suicide rate in Sri Lanka was between 35 and 47 deaths per 100,000 people.

“Sri Lanka has a penchant for breaking records. In the mid-1990s, it had one of the highest suicide rates in the world, about 24 suicides a day. Can you imagine that?” said Jetha Devapura, founder and CEO of the CCC Foundation, who described his own psychological struggle in Australia.

“About 30 years ago I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and at the time I was very ashamed; I was ashamed to talk about it. I hid it from my parents; I hid it from my friends. And rightly so, because even in Australia at that time mental illness was not the most palatable thing. So for about 10 years I suffered in silence,” said Devapura, whose brainchild is CCC. Devapura’s family emigrated to Australia in 1978 and visits Sri Lanka occasionally.

According to Devapura, the CCC helpline was launched in December 2009, against the backdrop of nearly 6,500 suicides committed in 2000. Ten years later, in 2010, nearly 5,400 deaths due to suicide were reported.

He further explained that according to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of deaths per day, which was 24 in the mid-1990s, has declined drastically over the last 20 years.

“We wanted people to follow us. We wanted to travel across the country. So look at the statistics on suicide. And suicide is a number. It doesn’t happen overnight. It comes with a lot of suffering, whether it’s a relationship, a job, finances, illness, mental illness. We currently get about 3,500 calls a month. We have over 90 volunteers, crisis supporters,” Devapura added.

Even today, eight to 10 people die by suicide in Sri Lanka every day. For every person who dies by suicide, thirty more attempt to harm themselves. The main aim of CCCLine 1333 is to empower individuals to recognise and address the social issues and stigma associated with mental illness that affect their emotional well-being, the organisation said, while strongly encouraging those in need of support to talk about their problems so that CCCLine can address their issues and prevent such unfortunate deaths.

CCCLine 1333 Crisis Helpers are trained by Lifeline International, providing high-quality support to those who call on them. The service, which is available 24/7, free of charge via any telephone network, answers close to 4,000 calls a month.

Currently, CCCLine 1333 is the only 24/7 free crisis hotline in the country, and last year it received almost 30,000 calls. The invaluable CCC service has been additionally appreciated by people struggling with suicide, one of the most traumatic psychological problems. Interestingly, in just 8 months from the beginning of the year, CCCLine recorded a total of 40,000 calls.

“Our biggest challenge is actually responding to every call,” Devapura said, describing the challenges the organization currently faces.

Information about CCC

CCC was initially established as a project to help children undergoing cancer treatment at Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama.

From the left: Pedal Pushes Founder Lalanthi Rajapakshe, CCC Foundation Trustee and ACL Cables Managing Director Suren Madanayake, CCC Chairman Suresh Mendis, CCC Founder and CEO Jetha Devapura, Allianz Insurance Distribution Director Ranga Dias and DFCC Director/CEO Thimal Perera

-Pix by Nisal Baduge

“We started a project to create a halfway house for children who were undergoing cancer treatment and had no place in the hospital. So they had to go home and come back, which they couldn’t do. So it was a small project of around 25 million,” said CCC chairman Suresh Mendis.

However, the project had a huge impact, growing into a 175 million project that made it a reality. There are now 196 beds with 45 children’s rooms where parents can also accompany their child, Mendis explained.

“Ride to Save Lives” – 1333 Bikeathon 2024

Bikeathon 2024 is a major initiative to raise awareness of the services provided by 1333 and to take the message to villages across Sri Lanka. It is a 13-day bike ride across Sri Lanka involving over 29 dedicated cyclists. Starting from Independence Square on August 29, cyclists will cycle almost 100 km per day to raise awareness of the importance of mental well-being and reducing deaths by suicide.

During the 13-day expedition you will cover a distance of 1,333 kilometers, which is symbolized by the telephone line “1333”.

Bikeathon 2024 is supported by ACL Cables, Allianz Insurance, DFCC Bank and many other sponsors and well-wishers.