Distress calls at Jeevan, Jamshedpur's suicide prevention centre, have gone up even as the steel city is witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Over 10 people, who are suffering from depression, have been dialling the numbers of Jeevan daily for counselling. Amny among them reveal suicidal tendencies.

The number of daily callers was between 2-4 at the beginning of the month when the Covid cases hadn't escalated.

Jeevan director Jeoraj Jain said the number of people seeking help would further go up as the situation was far from normal. “Over 10 people suffering from depression are contacting our volunteers for counselling. We are trying our best to calm them. More people will seek counselling if the situation deteriorates further,” he added.

Unemployment, uncertainty and economic problems are among the issues driving people to depression.

Fearing that the situation would worsen in the days to come, Jeevan has decided to reach out to people for counselling. It has written letters to East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Suraj Kumar and Tata Steel vice-president (corporate services) Chanakya Chaudhary, requesting telephone numbers of people living in Covid hotspots of Jamshedpur.

The district administration has turned Kadma and Refugee Colony into containment zones after both the areas became Covid hotspots..

Kadma market and nearby residential areas were sealed on Saturday following detection of over 80 positive cases on Thursday and Friday,

The densely populated Refugee Colony locality was sealed on Sunday following detection of 90 Covid positive cases in 24 hours. Entry to the locality under Golumri police station has been restricted from all sides.

According to Jain, they have requested the DC to put up banners and posters (with telephone numbers) of Jeevan in both Kadma and Refugee Colony as it would help people living in those localities contact them for counselling.

“We have also requested Tata Steel vice-president (corporate services) to provide telephone numbers of people living in Kadma so that we can contact them from our side. Movement of people in these two localities is restricted and they must be in tension and under depression. We want to help them in these difficult times,”the Jeevan director said.

A Jeevan volunteer said positive thoughts, sharing problems, keeping busy with activities which keep you happy, staying away from people with negative thoughts, playing with children, spending time with elders and rearing pets are some of the ways which can help people tide over depression.

Jeevan volunteers are available at: 9297777500, 9297777499 (only call), 9955377500, 9955435500 (call or WhatsApp).