Organization

Dr AK Abdul khader, a well known Pulmonologist and Head of the department of Pulmonology, KMCT Medical College is the Chairman of the Thanal Trust.
Dr PN Sureshkumar, an eminent psychiatrist and head of psychiatry department in KMCT Medical college is the Secretary of the Trust.
Trust has two more members- Dr Vijayakumar , a well known Anaesthologist of Calicut and Mr VT Murali, Playback singer and a social activist.
Apart from this, the President and Secretary of IMA, Calicut and the Director of Thanal Suicide prevention center are ex officio members of the Trust.
THANAL has about 50 dedicated volunteers who are trained by trainers from Befrienders India and local psychologists and sychiatrists. They are well trained to Listen to the callers and give them emotional support in a confidential atmosphere. Our services are absolutely free.


2002 - 2003

Date Programme Venue
25.01.02 Public Programme on Suicide Prevention Town Hall, Kozhikode
09.02.02 Suicide Prevention – for Doctors & Public IMA Hall, Kozhikode
10.03.02 World Women’s Day – Talk on Suicide Prevention IMA Hall, Kozhikode
26.05.02 Public Programme on Suicide Prevention Fed. Club,Thamarasseri
27/28/29 May 24 Hour helpline service- SSLC result Iqra Hospital, Kozhikode
19.06.02 Public Programme NSF, Kunnamangalam
25.06.02 Class on Suicide in Children & adolescents Med. College, Calicut
19.09.02 Public Programme on Suicide Prevention Thiruvannur, Calicut
10.10.02 World Mental Health Day Mofussil Bus Stand,
Kozhikode
03.11.02 Continued Medical Education Programme on
Suicide Prevention Strategies for Primary Care Givers		 IMA, Kozhikode
22.12.02 Outreach Programme for Nanma-Seminar on
Suicide Prevention		 Kackoor, Kozhikode dt.

2003 - 2004

Date Programme Venue
13.03.2003 24 hour befriending for SSLC students and
Parents to alleviate anxiety for three days		 Iqra Hospital, Kozhikode
01.04.03-
31.05.03		 Stall at Exhibition ground to create awareness
among general public on suicide.		 Corporation Exhibition Ground
28.04.2003 Book release “Athmahathyayum Pradhirothavum”
by Thanal		 IMA Hall, Kozhikode
14.05.03 Programme on Akashavani on Suicide Prevention Broadcast by AIR
14.05.03 24 hour befriending for 3 days during SSLC result Iqra Hospital, Kozhikode
16/18.05.03 Programme for High School Students- Exam
Anxiety, Human Values, Positive thinking etc.		 IMA Hall, Kozhikode
01.10.03 Thanal Website Inauguration Town Hall, Kozhikode
28.11.03 Seminar on Factors that Contribute to the Suicidal
Tendencies for Students and Parents		 St. Vincent Colony School,
Kozhikode
10.01.04 Class on Suicide, Addiction and Awareness Programme Chelambra Panchayat, Malappuram
24/25.01.04 Presentation on topic “Suicide – current
research/study in Kerala by Dr. Suresh Kumar		 Dept. of Future Studies, Univ. of
Kerala, Trivandrum
14.02.04 Special Feature on Thanal in Arogyavani Akashavani, Kozhikode
22.02.04 Public Awareness Programme IMA Hall, Vadakara
10.03.04 24 hour befriending for SSLC students & Parents
for 3 days		 Iqra Hospital, Kozhikode
28.03.04 Class for Municipal High school students, Iringal Iringal, Vadakara
30.03.04 Class on Suicide Prevention for High School students Parambil Bazar, Kozhikode
30.04.04 Seminar on Farmer’s Suicide problems & solutions Town Hall, Kozhikode
10.05.04 24 Hour Befriending Session for 3 days during
SSLC results		 Iqra Hospital, Kozhikode
10.09.04 Workshop on Role of Media in Suicide Prevention IMA Hall, Kozhikode
09.10.04 Class on Mental Health Awareness Naduvannur Panchayat, Kozhikode
10.10.04 Class on Suicide Prevention at Badirur, Kakkodi Kakkodi, Kozhikode
19.10.04 Awareness Class for Long Route Drivers IOC, Gas Filling station, Kozhikode
22.10.04 Class on “How to Avoid Mental Strain“ for
Anganvadi workers		 Karaparamba, Kozhikode
28.11.04 Class on Drugs, Liquor addiction and Suicide at
Chaliyar		 Chaliyar, Malappuram
20.12.04 Public Awareness Programme by Thanal & Akashavani Town Hall, Kozhikode

2005

Date Programme Venue
02.02.2005 Class on “Suicide among students” at Headmasters’ Meeting DEO’s Office, Calicut
14.03.05 24 Hour Befriending Service for SSLC students and Parents Iqra Hospital, Kozhikode
26.03.05 Class on “Problems of Adolescents” at Chevarambalam Chevarambalam, Kozhikode
8/9.04.05 Training for volunteers of Santhwanam Suicide Prevention
Centre,IMA, Vadakara		 IMA,Vadakara
12.04.05 Student Counselling at Govt. Teacher Training Institute East Nadakkavu, Kozhikode
21/05/05 Class for Girls of ages 11 to 19 AUP School, Malaparamba
03.07.05 Counselling programme for SSLC and Plus 2 students Shakthi Theatres, Kuruvangad
08.09.05 Class on Suicide Prevention for Parents of Girls on Girls Day Bhodhana Swasraya federation,
Calicut
14.09.05 Outreach programme at Balussery Balussery, Calicut
10.09.05 World Suicide Prevention Day Mofussil Bus Stand, Kozhikode
05.11.05 “Manoranjini” Music Therapy Programme IMA Hall, Kozhikode
13.11.05 Phone in programme of Thanal at Akashavani Broadcast from AIR, Kozhikode
14.11.05 Class at One Day workshop by Childline &
Shikshan Sansthan on “Rights of Children”		 Hotel Renaissance, Kozhikode
02.12.05 Class for Girls of Plus 2 on “Problems of Youth with
special attention to Suicide thoughts among youth”		 Ganapath Girls High School,
Chalappuram, Kozhikode
09.12.05 Classes on” Suicide – Public Health Hazard” and
Suicide Prevention and Suicide & Women at Muthu Bazar		 Cheliya, Kozhikode
09.12.05 Seminar on “Problems of Youth” at JDT Islam College JDT Islam College of Arts & Science

2006

Date Programme Venue
13/14.01.06 Training Programme for New Volunteers of
Santhwanam Suicide Prevention Centre, Vadakara		 IMA Hall, Vadakara
18.01.06 Class for students of JDT Islam Vocational Higher Secondary School JDT, Kozhikode
26/29.01.06 4 days Exhibition by Health Care Society, Ponoor,
Unnikulam, Thanal Stall for Suicide Awareness 		Unnikulam, Calicut
26.01.06 Class on Mental Health & Harmony and “Increasing suicides
in our Society” at Grama Chethana Karalapyil		 Kokkallur, Calicut
05.02.06 Class on Suicide Prevention at Mokavoor Eranhikkal, Kozhikode
16.02.06 Debate on “Women & Suicide” Town Hall, Kozhikode
20.02.06 Seminar on Suicide on Adoloscent Girls Vavanad ,Kalpetta.
25.02.06 Class on “Mental Health and Family Harmony” & “Suicide & Contemporary Society” Kayanna Bazar, Perambra, Kozhikode
11.03.06 Class on “Child Psychology” and “Effect of Media on Children” Samskruthi School, Panthavoor, Malappuram
23/30.03.06 One Week Mobile Public Awareness Programme
on Suicide Prevention 		Sultan Battery, Pulpally, Meenangadi, Panamaram,
Mananthavadi, Pozhuthana, Kalpetta,
Ambalavayal, Meppadi etc.
31.03.06 2 days Class on Mental Stress & Strain and
Adoloscent Problems at G.T.T.I, Nadakkavu		 Nadakkavu, Kozhikode
20.05.06 Class on “Stress Management” at Aramam Family Meet Kozhikode
10.09.06 Suicide Prevention Day with Awareness Programme
at Mofussil Bus Stand		 Kozhikode
01.11.06 5th Anniversary ofThanal with CD release and Drama “Samavarthanam” Town Hall, Kozhikode

2007

Date Programme Venue
12.01.07 Seminar on “Suicide Prevention” for Govt. Servants IMHANS, Kozhikode
10.03.07 Class on Examination Anxiety for Teachers & Parents NSS UP School, Eranhikkal
09.03.07 Mobile Outreach Programme at Waynad Wayanad
17.04.07 Magic Show with Suicide Prevention as Theme by Renouned Magician Gopinath Mudukad Gujrathi School Auditorium, Kozhikode
16.05.07 Awareness lecture on Suicide Prevention for members of Govt. Pensioners
Association at New Nalanda		 Nalanda, Kozhikode
01.07.07 Class on Listening Skills for Paliative Volunteers & Social Workers Edappal, Malappuram
09.09.07 Two Day State Level Work Shop for Organizations and Individuals working in the
Field of Suicide Prevention, New Nalanda		 Hotel New Nalanda, Kozhikode
10.09.07 Public Meeting on World Suicide Prevention Day Town Hall, Kozhikode

2008

Date Programme Venue
09.01.08 Class on Mothers & Adolescent Girls Anganvadi, Chulliode
16.01.08 Class on Adolescent Age Anganvadi, Azhchavattom
24.01.08 Class on Adolescent Age Anganvadi, Narikkuni
02.02.08 Class on Adolescent Age Sri Devi Vilasam School, Mannur
12.02.08 Class on Adolescent Age Kadalundi School, Kadalundi
Examination Stress for Students of NSS, Karayogam School
and PVS High School, Eranhikkal		 Eranhikkal, Kozhikode
14/15.07.08 Training for New Volunteers at Santhwanam Suicide Prevention Centre, Vadakara IMA, Vadakara

2009

Date Programme Venue
10/1/2009 Class on Examination Stress Vedavyasa School, Malaparamba
12/1/2009 Class on Suicide Prevention Civic Charitable Trust,Calicut
17-01- 09 Class on Good Parenting Vedavyasa School, Malaparamba
24-01- 09 Class on Good Parenting Mathrusamithi, Panniyankara
2/2/2009 Class on Examination Stress PVS School,Eranhikkal
18-02- 09 Talk On' Family values' for Mothers Civil Station UP school
26-02- 09 Talk on Nutrition and Child Care Anganvadi, Chulliyode,Calicut
21-03- 09 Awareness programme Suicide and Prevention Aswasa Kendram, Civil Station
24-07- 09 Class on Problems faced by children PTA, Chinmaya Mission School
28-07- 09 Class on Suicide among Students Girls' High School, Calicut
29-07- 09 Class on Adolescent Problems Do
7/8/2009 Talk on Problems faced by Children at home U P School, Koodathai
7/8/2009 Awareness Programme Suicide and Prevention Do
7/8/2009 Class on Adolescent Problems PTA,Koodathai UPS
8/8/2009 Class on Adolescent Problems Pleasant English medium School,Omasseri
9/8/2009 Class on Suicide and Prevention Vanitha Vedi, Mavoor
18-08- 09 Talk on How to handle children UP School, Chevarambalam
20-08- 09 Talk on Caring for Children at home Mathrubandhu school, Civil Stn
21-08- 09 Do ChristuRaja School,Malaparamba
10/9/2009 Awareness Programme on Prevention of suicides in jails District Jail, Calicut
11/9/2009 Awareness Programme on Suicide and Prevention MC Colege Higher Sec School
15-09- 09 Class on Environmental Pollution &Epidemics Karuna Anganvadi,Civil Stn
25-09- 09 Class on Adolescent Problems Iquhra Higher Sec School
4/10/2009 Class on Adolescent Problems Higher Sec School, Parayancheri
7/10/2009 Talk on Family strengths Govt Model High School
9/10/2009 Class on Adolescent Problems Govt Higher Sec School,East hill
Class on Adolescent Problems among Girls Govt Achuthan Girls High School
16-10- 09 Class on Adolescent problems among boys and girls Govt Higher Sec School, Payyanakkal
1/11/2009 Thanal Celebrates 8th Birthday Tagore Centenary Hall, Calicut
3/11/2009 Talk on Stress and strain management Nursing college, malabar Eye Hospital CLT
8/11/2009 Awareness Programme on Suicide prevention and Stress problems Souhrudam Res Assn, Tiruvannur
15-11- 09 Do Residential Assn, Nallalam
24-11- 09 Do Pulari Swayam Sevak,Meppayur
1/12/2009 AIDS, an awareness programme JDT Higher Sec school
17-12- 09 Class on Adolescent Problems UP School Malaparamba
23-12- 09 Awareness Programme on Suicide prevention Mukkam

2011

Date Programme Venue
19/1/2011 How to study and face exams- for students Kotooli residents Association
6/2/2011 One day workshop on ‘How to study and face exams”- for students,
teachers and ParentsHotel		 Hotel Nalanda, Calicut
8/3/2011 Adolescent problems – conducted for children and parents in
Indial Dental AssociationKrishna		 Krishna Arcade, IDA hall
25/7/2011 Adolescent problems- School children Siffi English Medium school
28/7/2011 Goal setting in life and other general subjects- for nursing students Nursing college , Malabar Eye Hospital
29/7/2011 Dealing with pre adolescent stage- for parents of school childrenUP UP school, Civil station, Calicut
13/8/2011 Personality development and counseling- for NCC cadets of 3 districtsMavoor Mavoor NCC camp
9/10/2011 Personality development,public speaking-for University studentsCalicut Calicut University
31/10/2011 Parents’ responsibilities towards children Calicut
27/11/2011 Adolescent problems, sexual diseases-school students Vocational higher sec school, Meenchanda, Calicut
10/12/2011 Do GVHSS, Kinasseri
16/12/2011 Suicide problems among farmers in Wayanad district- for farmers,
NGOs,Heads of local religious organizationsKalpetta,		 Kalpetta, Wayanad Dt
17/12/2011 Suicides among children and adolescents-for college studentsPSM PSM college, Thirurangadi
18/12/2011 Awareness programme on suicides among farmersSyrian Syrian parish Hall, Poothadi

2012

Date Programme Venue
12/1/2012 Awareness programme for adolescent boys and girls Govt higher secondary school, Meenchanda, Calicut
8/7/2012 Awareness class on suicide and its prevention- for members of a self help group Eravannur, Calicut
29/7/2012 Adolescent problems-Awareness programme for students, Teachers, Parents Town Hall, Calicut
15/8/2012 Suicide- causes and prevention- for parents of students and general public of a village Kakkodi, Calicut
10/9/2012 Workshop on suicides and its causes, prevention- for Officers and
staff of Police Department		 Town Hall , Calicut
13/9/2012 Awareness programme on Good parenting- for parents of school children Peruvayal, Calicut
10/10/2012 Observed World Suicide prevention day with the theme’ Depression- a global issue’ jointly
with mental health wing of IMA, Psychiatry wings of Iqraa and KMCT med college,
Kerala social security Mission and other NGOs		 Town Hall, Calicut
30/9/2012 Adolescent problems- for Higher secondary school students Kakkodi, Calicut
26/10/2012 Awareness class on Suicides- causes, prevention-for general public of a village Kakkodi, Calicut
3/11/2012 Adolescent problems- class for parents of school children UP school, Civil Station, Calicut
15/11/2012 Class on Good parenting- for parents of school children Vengeri UP school, Calicut
27/12/2012 Adolescent problems Rehmania HS School, Calicut

2013

Date Programme Venue
3/2/2013 Participated in a Medico Exhibition organized at Vengeri school where Calicut medical college,
Homeo college, CIGI were also participants. Befriending session
was also arranged and about 40 persons availed our services		 Vengeri School
23/2/13 Thanal conducted class for students on ‘How to face examinations’ Vagbhadananda School
24/2/2013 Class for students on exam fear Govt H S School, Elathur
8/3/2013 Three days special hot line for students attending the SSLC exam
28/3/2013 One day workshop in Town hall on ‘Atrocities against women’ with classes on the role
of Police Dept, Legal and psychological aspects.		 Town Hall , Calicut
2/4/2013 Observed World Autism Day along with IMA Calicut, Dept of Psychiatry KMCT Med College IMA hall, Calicut
15-08-2013 Awareness program for parents of Adolescents Aganvadi school- Nanmanda panjayath
11-09-2013 Awareness program for housewives – alcoholism and drug abuse A mansion at Thankals road
19-09-2013 Awareness program for Adolescents issue St. Joseph boys school
26-09-2013 Awareness program for parents of +1, +2 students Himayathul HSS
26-09-2013 Awareness program for parents of +1, +2 students REC G.V.H.S.School
18-12-2013 Awareness program for general public Mofusal bus stand calicut

2014

Date Programme Venue
13-01-2014 Awareness program for parents of +1, +2 students Parayancheri boys school
02-03-2014 Awareness program for SSLC, +1, +2 students- How to overcome examination fear Residents association- Chelavoor area
16-03-2014 Publicity program of thanal- notice distribution Calicut beach
2-03-2014 Program on the topic- Suicide in adolescents girls and boys PSM college in Thirurangadi
02-04-2014 Autism day program IQRAA Annex – Eranhipalam
24-05-2014 Schizophrenia day program Town Hall Calicut
26-06-2014 International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking Town Hall Calicut
13-07-2014 Awareness program for alcoholic people IMA hall Calicut.
10.09.2014 Suicide prevention- Street play- an awareness program Various places of Calicut
10.10.2014 World mental health day- observed Town Hall Calicut
16.10.2014 Suicide & prevention seminar in collaboration with ‘JANAMITHRI’ police Balussery community Hall
15.11.2014 Kottayam Nazeer show- an awareness cum entertainment show in connection
with suicide prevention 		Tagore hall- Calicut
25.01.2015 ‘Punarjeni’- car inauguration- mainly for outreach programs and all necessary unit needed for public awareness. Thanal premises

2016

Date Programme Venue
19.08.2016 Home visit by thanal team westhill
10.09.2016 World suicide prevention day observation with mahabali and drums Around mananchira calicut
11.09.2016 Onam sadya for 2016 by thanal team With inmates of ashabhavan calicut
10.10.2016 World mental health day observation Medical college premises,bus,stand and beach calicut
28.10.2016 Home visit by thanal team Near Calicut university
01.11.2016 Home visit by four volunteers Near nirmala hospital calicut
19.11.2016 annual day celebration,”thanal sandhya” with musical nite Gujarathi hall calicut

2017

Date Programme Venue
25.02.2017 Thanal Notice distribution programme Medical college campus
19.03.2017 Home visit by two volunteers Pullorampara, calicut
02.04.2017 Autism awareness programme with ima and psychiatry wing iqra Ima hall calicut
07.04.2017 World health day observation With ima and psychiatry wing iqra Ima hall calicut
24.05.2017 World schizophrenia day observasion observation With ima and psychiatry wing iqra and kmct medical college Ima hall calicut
26.06.2017 International day against drug abuse With ima and psychiatry wing iqra and kmct medical college iqra hospital annexe eranhipalam
10.09.2017 World suicide prevention day with thanal anniversary celebration (digital drama ‘‘mam vidhie’’) town hall calicut
10.10.2017 World mental health day observassion town hall calicut
29.10.2017 Outreach programme by 9 volunteers. With Awareness classes moozhikku meethal, east of koyilandi
19.11.2017 World day for the prevention of child abuse (child line school jagratha samithi bachpan bachao andholan, psychiatry wing iqra and kmct) Ima hall kozhikode

2018

Date Programme Venue
01.05.2018 Refresher training to thanal volunteers by adv. litto Ima hall kozhikode
24.05.2018 World schizophrenia day observassion Ima hall kozhikode
26.06.2018 World anti drug day 2018 iqra hospital annexe eranhipalam

Suicide prevention activities in Wayanad

  • In response to the newspaper reports of increasing suicide rate in Wayanad in March 2004, Thanal conducted a home visit pilot Psychological autopsy study Based on this report and a project submitted Govt. of Kerala selected Thanal to carry out suicide prevention activities in Wayanad District.
  • Conducted three suicide prevention classes and seminars along with the out reach mental health camps.
    1. Thariyode (23-4-04)
    2. Pulpally (28-4-04)
    3. Mepadi (16-04-04)

    These sessions were attended by patients, care givers, public, NGOs and Kudumbasree members

  • Conducted 4 training programmes (22-07-04, 29-07-04, 04-08-04 & 09-08-04) at Kalpetta for Medical Officers and Para-medical staff using training modules and pre and post training assessment schedules (developed by Thanal) on “Detection, Treatment and Prevention of suicides”
  • Public awareness programmes
    • Kalpetta (17-7-04)
    • Meppadi (18-08-04)
    • Pulpally (24-08-04)
    • Meenangadi (14-09-04)
    • Porunannur (22-09-04)
    • Thariyode (23-09-04)
    • Panamaram (24-09-04)
    • Pozhuthana (28-09-04)
  • Conducted a pilot study on suicides in Wayanad by compiling and analyzing statistics of suicide in Wayanad for the last 5 years with special reference to farmers’ suicide.
  • Conducted a psychological autopsy study to find out the increasing rate of suicides in Wayanad utilizing the health service staff of Wayanad district.
    • Conducted a public awareness programme at St. Martins School Auditorium on 8th December 2005. Dr.P.N.Suresh Kumar, Secretary, Thanal, Dr. Roshan Bijlee and Sri. Johny, Social Worker, Wayanad District took classes.
    • Conducted a training programme at Everglades Auditrium, Kalpetta on 20th February 2006 for School Teachers and Anganvadi workers on suicide prevention. Dr.P.N.Suresh Kumar, Secretary, Dr.Mehroof, Superintendent, Kalpetta General Hospital, Dr. Roshan Bijlee, , Dr. Rajani, Clinical Psychologist, Govt. Mental Health Centre, Calicut took classes.
    • Organized a press conference at Kalpetta Press Club on 21st March 2006 to brief the press about the suicide prevention activities done by Thanal and about the forgoing Mobile Public Awareness Programmes. Dr.P.N.SureshKumar, Secretary, Dr.Sasidharan, D.M.O., Wayanad, Dr.Mehroof Raj, Superintendent, Kalpetta General Hospital spoke a this occasion.
    • Organised mobile public awareness programmes in collaboration with IMHANS, Wayanad Health Service, Social Work Institutions, Psychiatry Department, Medical College, Trivandrum, Jyothi Nivas, Vazhavatta, Wayanad, Inter Ed-Faculty of Clinical Research, Cochin, Jalam Parathakad, and Desaposhini Vayanasala. The variety of programs include-suicide prevention talks, street play, talking monkey, video/film show, exhibition, and distribution of suicide prevention leaflets.
    • Organized a ‘Public awareness program on suicide prevention at Wayanad’ on 16-12-2011 held at Jacobite Suriyani Church auditorium Poothadi Kenichira Wayanad District.
    • Places covered and time is as follows:
    Date Time Place
    23-03-06 10.00am-11.30am Sultan Bathery, Pvt. Bus stand
    23-03-06 2.00pm-3.00pm Pulpally
    23-03-06 4.00pm-5.00pm Meenangadi
    25-03-06 11.30am-12.30pm Panamaram
    25-03-06 2.00pm-3.00pm Mananthavadi
    25-03-06 4.00pm-5.00pm Pozhuthana
    28-03-06 11.30am-12.30pm Padinjarethara
    28-03-06 1.30pm-2.30pm Kavumannam
    28-03-06 3.30pm-4.30pm Kalpetta
    29-03-06 11.00am-12.00pm Ambalavayal
    29-03-06 2.00pm-3.00pm Vaduvanchal
    29-03-06 4.00pm-5.00pm Meppadi
    30-03-06 10.00am-1.00pm Govt. Hospital, Kalpetta

    Outcome of Suicide Prevention Activities in Wayanad
    Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
    Num 367 311 320 367 302 320 344 318 338 319 314 288

    The year 2004 reported the lowest number of suicides compared to previous 11years. Probably this could be due the vigorous suicide prevention public awareness programs conducted in Wayanad in this year