This Keralite family’s story of losing their son in UK should be an eye-opener to Malayalee community (Video)

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON Oct 13: The Malayalee community in the UK has been settled here since the 1960s. The early migrants prioritised in earning a living and giving their family a good life. Slowly the community evolved and paved way to new generation of children who were born free of any prerequisites demanded by the communities based on religion, gender or any other divides.

However, still some of our communities from yesteryears still live in bondage and has never freed themselves from the so called anathema set by our forefathers. The situation is not much different in Kerala.

It has come the time for our community in the UK to wake up and realise what our new generation children are and acknowledge them as what they are without any inhibitions and realise what they go through.

It is time to not look at them from the prism of how community perceives life should be rather accept them as born free in an era not bonded by any parameters set by the so-called guardians of our community or it will be too late.

This is a powerful story of a Viswambaran family’s own experience of losing a beloved son Arun Viswambaran, 27 years old, died by suicide in September 2018.

Their feelings, emotions and messages will hopefully be a great help to other parents from the South Asian community; to understand and support their children who may have mental health problems.

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If you are disturbed by the video or if you know anyone who is suffering from mental health issues please do act upon it immediately by making contacts with the right support provided below or contact the numbers given below the video

If you just need to talk, any time of day or night

Free listening services

These services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult:

Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours

Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM”

if you’re under 19

If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

Anxiety UK

Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.

Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)

Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Bipolar UK

A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.

Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk

CALM

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.

Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Men’s Health Forum

24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.

Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind

Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

Website: www.mind.org.uk

No Panic

Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.

Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge

Website: www.nopanic.org.uk