<\/p>\n
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church<\/strong><\/p>\n Vipassana Emotional Support Centre<\/span><\/p>\n (Half year report of activities)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Vipassana Emotional Support Centre was consecrated and inaugurated by H.H.Basalios Marthoma Paulose II Catholicos on 23 May 2015 at the Orthodox Student Centre, Kottayam. It is envisaged as a joint initiative of Ministry of Human Empowerment and MGOCSM of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The main objective of the Centre is to provide emotional support to persons who are emotionally stressed and express suicidal ideation and also to empower families during crisis. In line with these objectives, following activities have been taken up by the centre during the past six months:<\/span><\/p>\n 1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Telephone Help Lines have been established to help persons who are emotionally stressed.<\/span><\/p>\n 2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Recruited and trained volunteers to serve in the Help Line.<\/span><\/p>\n 3)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Organised awareness building\/ training programmes in parishes, schools, colleges and other organisations in the<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0community with a \u00a0view to promote mental health and to empower family life and also to reduce suicides.<\/span><\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Offered face-to-face sessions for persons who are emotionally stressed.<\/span><\/p>\n 5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Visited family members who are victims of accidental deaths and consoled them.<\/span><\/p>\n 6)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Organised training programmes for volunteers of the emotional support programme.<\/span><\/p>\n The Vipassana is envisioned as an Emotional Support\u00a0Center\u00a0mainly focusing on consoling individuals who are emotionally stressed. But our\u00a0experience show that emotional challenges have direct correlation to physical needs of the individual. This means that while addressing the emotional challenges of the individual, we need to consider their physical needs as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During the past six months we could address also the extreme physical needs of few individuals who either called our help Line or visited our\u00a0center\u00a0for emotional consolation.<\/span><\/p>\n 1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Support for HIV\/AIDS patient<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Vipassana could facilitate supporting an HIV\/AIDS patient from Ranni who called the Help Line\u00a0 for emotional support. Mr.R(name purposefully omitted)who contracted HIV through blood transfusion for his surgery was completely isolated by his\u00a0neighbours\u00a0and was not allowed to work. Vipassana volunteers and INAMS volunteers visited his family and offered him support.\u00a0The matter was discussed in INAMS units at Kottayam and Kozhenchery and now INAMS volunteers have adopted that family and supporting them financially.<\/span><\/p>\n 2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Educational Support for\u00a0 economically backward \u00a0students\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Vipassana could also facilitate supporting the educational expenses of three economically backward students from Palai and Parampuzha. The father of the student from Palai died in an accident two years ago. The father of the two students from Parampuzha has been paralysed by\u00a0brain haemorrhage.\u00a0The students and their mothers came to Vipassana and shared their problems. This was brought before M\/s. Aardratha Fellowship Charitable Trust and\u00a0 the organisation is supporting their educational needs.<\/span><\/p>\n 3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Rehabilitation of a psychiatric patient<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Vipassana facilitated the rehabilitation of a patient (Shri.Shridharan) \u00a0undergoing treatment at the Psychiatry Department of Govt.Medical College, Kottayam. The Ashraya Sneha Veedu, Thiruvanchoor (auxiliary of Ashraya Charitable Society, Kalayapuram) received and rehabilitated him.<\/span><\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Medical support<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Vipassana could facilitate providing medical care for a young girl (15 years old) from Nattakam who was under treatment for head injury at the Department of Neurology, Medical College, Kottayam. The family could not afford the expensive MRI Scan and this was brought before \u00a0M\/s .A.M.Peelu Charitable Society and\u00a0 the organisation \u00a0supported her financially for MRI Scan.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a05)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Volunteer Engagements<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n During the past six months the Volunteers of Vipassana had been engaged in various activities related to our mission. Apart from regularly attending to Help Line Calls, some of the volunteers had the opportunity either to facilitate in awareness building programmes or to organize activities for Vipassana. Following are some of the activities reported:<\/span><\/p>\n 1)\u00a0Ms.Reshama Elsa Reji<\/strong>– Introduced Vipassana programmes at the Sunday School Teachers Training Programme\u00a0\u00a0at\u00a0St.Ggregorious Orthodox Church, Njaliakuzhi. Facilitated a session on ‘Influence of Media on Families’\u00a0at the Group Meeting of MMVS Vakathanm Group held at St.Thomas Orthodox Church, Pongamthanm.<\/span><\/p>\n 2)\u00a0Mrs.Mini Kurian<\/strong>– Organised a session on \u2018Church\u2019s Response to Emotionally Challenged persons\u2019 at MMVS Group\u00a0\u00a0Meeting, Vakathanam. Organized consolation visits to three families affected by accidental deaths in Vakathanam.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a03)\u00a0Mr.Chako Tharakan&Mrs.Mariamma Tharakan<\/strong>– Organised a session on \u2018Church\u2019s Response to Emotionally\u00a0\u00a0Challenged persons\u2019 at INAMS Meeting, Mar Elia Cathedral, Kottayam. Participated in consolation visits to three\u00a0families affected by accidental deaths in Vakathanam. Introduced the activities of Vipassana at the INAMS conference held at Nagpur during 21-24, October,2015. Organized a talk for the benefit of the residents of Skylineford Apartment,Kalathipady, Kottayam on the topic:\u2019 EffectiveParenting in Nuclear Families\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a04)\u00a0Mrs.Molly Mathew<\/strong>– Organised a session on \u2018Response to Emotionally Challenged persons\u2019 at Resident\u2019s\u00a0Association Meeting, Moolepeediaka, Kottayam.<\/span><\/p>\n 5)\u00a0Mrs.Lovely Rajan<\/strong>— Introduced Vipassana programmes at the Sunday School Teachers Training Programme at\u00a0 St.Mary\u2019s Orthodox Church, Karattukunnel. Facilitated production of a Short Film-PUFF. Organised a seminar at Maharaja\u2019s College, Kottayam in relation to the observance of World Mental Health Day. Distributed Vipassana brochures to the participants. Encouraged students and their families to participate in face-to-face sessions at Vipassana for emotional support.<\/span><\/p>\n 6)\u00a0Mr.K.C.Jacob<\/strong>– Introduced Vipassana programmes at the Sunday School Teachers Training Programme at \u00a0\u00a0St.Peter\u2019s Orthodox Church, Vazhoor.<\/span><\/p>\n 7)\u00a0Mr.John D.Kunnathu & Lisy Kunnathu<\/strong>– Introduced Vipassana programmes at MMVS Group Meeting at St.Paul\u2019s Orthodox Church,\u00a0Kollad, Mar Gregorious Orthodox Catholicate Centre, Neelimangalam and MGOCSM Student Leadership Training\u00a0programme,Student Centre, Kottayam. Facilitated a session on\u2019 Influence of Media on Children\u2019 at Javahar\u00a0\u00a0 Navodaya Vidyalaya, Vadavathoor,Kottayam. Introduced the activities of Vipassana at\u00a0the weekly retreat held at St.Paul’s Orthodox Church, Kollad, Kottayam. Facilitated a session on \u2018Suicide and it\u2019s prevention\u2019 for teachers of Girideepam Bethany Higher Secondary School, Kottayam.<\/span><\/p>\n 8) \u00a0Dr.Rosamma Alex<\/strong>– Facilitated a session on \u2018Graceful Aging\u2019 at YMCA Pakal Veedu, Kollad, Kottayam.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a09)\u00a0Dr.Elizabeth Samson<\/strong>– Facilitated a session on \u2018Understanding Adolescence\u2019 at NSS Teacher\u2019s \u00a0Training College,\u00a0Changanacherry.<\/span><\/p>\n 10)\u00a0Dr.Anamma Varghese<\/strong>– Facilitated a session on \u2018Graceful Aging\u2019 at YMCA Pakal Veedu, Kollad, Kottayam.\u00a0\u00a0Introduced Vipassana programmes at MGOCSM Student Leadership Training programme, Student Centre,\u00a0\u00a0Kottayam. Introduced the activities of Vipassana at the Elder\u2019s Meeting &MGOCSM meeting at Dubai Church,UAE. Introduced Vipassana programmes at the monthly meeting of Resident\u2019s Association, Chungam, Kottayam. Arranged a visit to CAAS, Kottayam for networking.<\/span><\/p>\n 11)\u00a0Mr.Rajeev Vadassery<\/strong>– Video Graphed inauguration of Vipassana \u00a0and the observance of World Suicide\u00a0Prevention Day. Facilitated publication of the Resource Book for Training Programmes.<\/span><\/p>\n 12)\u00a0Prof.Susan Thomas:\u00a0<\/strong>Facilitated a session on \u2019The Role of Attitude in personality Development\u2019 in the seminar organised at Maharaja\u2019s College, Kottayam.<\/span><\/p>\n 13)\u00a0Dr.Rachel George<\/strong>-Introduced the activities of Vipassana at the Regional YWCA meeting at Changanacherry. Distributed brochures. Prepared a module for the resource book.<\/span><\/p>\n 14)\u00a0Dr.Siby Tharakan<\/strong>– Facilitated a session on \u2018Suicide and \u00a0Prevention Strategies\u2019 at NSS Teacher\u2019s \u00a0Training\u00a0 College, Changanacherry. Facilitated a session on \u2018Church\u2019s Response to Emotionally Challenged persons\u2019 at\u00a0annual conference, MMVS, Kochi Diocese, Koratty Aramana and KCC Regional Meeting at Amayanoore.\u00a0 Facilitated a session on \u2018Influence of Media on Families\u2019 at St.Mary\u2019s Orthodox Church, Cheppad. Facilitated a\u00a0session on \u2018Response to Emotionally Challenged persons\u2019 at \u00a0Alumni Meeting of Prathyasa Counseling Centre,\u00a0 Kottayam. Introduced Vipassana at Sunday School Teachers Training Programme, St.Thomas orthodox Church,\u00a0South Pampady, Sunday School Student\u2019s Training programme at KMG Centre, Kottayam, INAMS Meeting, Mar\u00a0 Elia Cathedral, Kottayam, Mar Bes Hanania Orthodox Church, Vanchithra, Kozhanchery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Facilitated a session on \u2018Church\u2019s Response to Emotionally Challenged persons\u2019 at \u00a0MMVS Group Meetings,\u00a0Vakathanam and Ponkunnam. Facilitated a session on \u2018Mental health and Stigma Reduction\u2019 at Resident\u2019s\u00a0Association Meeting, Moolepeediaka, Kottayam. Facilitated a session on \u2018Managing Emotional Challenges of\u00a0Parents of Children with Special Needs \u2019 at Special School, Marangattupally.<\/span><\/p>\n Facilitated a session on ‘Influence of Media on Families’ during the Parish Day celebration of St.Mary’s Sehion Orthodox Church, Kunnamthanam on 25 October,2015.\u00a0Introduced the activities of Vipassana at the leaders training programme of the Idukki Diocese held at Idukki Aramana Chapel on 24 October,2015. Facilitated a session on \u2018Stigma Reduction in Mental Health\u2019 in the seminar organised at Maharaja\u2019s College, Kottayam. Introduced the activities of Vipassana at a meeting organised by INAMS, Kozanchery Unit.<\/span><\/p>\n 15)\u00a0Dr.Varghese Punnoose (Secretary, OMF)<\/strong>: facilitated a session on ‘Mental Health and Media Literacy for Young persons’ at the leaders training programme of the Idukki Diocese held at Idukki Aramana Chapel on 24 October, 2015. Lead various sessions during training programmes for volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\n 16)\u00a0Fr.P.A.Philip (Deputy Secretary, MOHE):\u00a0<\/strong>Introduced the activities of Vipassana at various meetings in the diocesan level and parish level in India and abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n 17)\u00a0Fr.Philan P.Mathew (General Secretary, MGOCSM):\u00a0<\/strong>Arranged sessions to introduce the activities of Vipassana during orientation meetings and other conferences.<\/span><\/p>\n World Suicide Prevention Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The World Suicide Prevention Day was observed by Vipassana on 10 September, 2015 at Baselius College Auditorium, Kottayam. H.H.Baselious Marthoma Paulose II Catholicos inaugurated the programme and exhorted the public to understand the importance of mental health in reducing the number of suicides in the community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0HG.Dr.Thomas Mar Athanasios (President,MOHE) presided over the function.\u00a0 Shri.S.Sreesanth( Cricket Celebrity), Chief Guest of the function, really inspired the students. Dr.Divya S.Iyer IAS(Assistant Collector) delivered the key-note address.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Fr.P.A.Philip(Deputy Secretary, MOHE), Fr.Philan .P.Mathew(General Secretary, MGOCSM), Prof.Alexander V.George(Principal, Baselius College), Dr.Varghese Punnoose(General Secretary, OMF), Prof.Sarath P.Nath(Programme officer,NSS) and \u00a0Dr.Siby Tharakan(Director-Vipassana) spoke on the occasion. The \u2018Resource Book for Training Programmes\u2019, prepared by the Volunteers of Vipassana was released at the function.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The programme was attended by more than 1000 people including students and general public. We are thankful to Prof.Alexander V.George(Principal, Baselius College)),Prof.Sarath P.Nath(Programme officer,NSS),Teachers and NSS Volunteers for their support and commitment.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Resource Book for Training Programmes<\/strong>\u00a0: A Hand Book for awareness building programmes of Vipassana was published 0n 10 September, 2015.\u00a0 Mrs.Lovely\u00a0\u00a0 Rajan,Ms.Reshma Elsa Reji, Dr.Annamma Varghese, Mr.Chacko Tharakan, Mrs.Mariamma Tharakan, Mrs.Akkutty \u00a0 \u00a0 Mathew,Mr.John Kunnathu, Prof.Susan Thomas, Dr.Siby Tharakan, Dr.Rachel George, and Prof.K.G.Philip, have prepared study materials for the Hand\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Book. Articles written by Fr.Dr.O.Thomas, Fr.P.A.Philip and Dr.Varghese Punnoose, published in \u00a0 Pathirakaruthu Ee Kathirukal\u2019 (Responsible parenting) and published by MOHE are also included in this volume.The book was published with the contributions received from Volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Consolation Visits<\/strong>: One of the programmes of Vipassana is to console and empower family\u00a0 \u00a0members affected by suicides and accidental deaths of loved ones. Visits to such families followed by prayer,\u00a0 \u00a0meditation and counseling if needed would be helpful for them to do away with the emotional trauma they face.\u00a0Four cases of accidental deaths were reported to Vipassana and we could organize consolation visits to those\u00a0 \u00a0families in Kalthlippady, Vakathanak, Kannaanchira and Nalunnakkal.Fr.P.A.Philip and Fr.Mathew K.Mathew lead\u00a0\u00a0those consolation visits. Mrs.Mini Kurian, Mrs.Mariamma Tharakan, Prof.K.G.Philip, Mr.Chako Tharakan and\u00a0\u00a0Dr.Siby Tharakan participated in the visits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The\u00a0World Mental Health Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/strong>World Mental Health Day (10 October) was observed by various organisations in the State. This year\u2019s theme was\u00a0Dignity in Mental Health<\/em>. The Vipassana Volunteers attended the observance day organised by the Psychiatry Department of Government Medical College, Kottayam. Vipassana also organised an awareness building seminar on Mental Health jointly with Maharaja\u2019s College, Kottayam on 09, October, 2015. Dr.Siby Tharakan and Prof.Susan Thomas lead the sessions.The programme was attended by 50 participants.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Holy Episcopal Synod<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has decided to broaden the activities of Vipassana Emotional Support Centre in the Church through various activities in the Diocesan level. The Thiruvanamthapuram Diocese has already established a Telephone help Line and a counselling centre at Maatha Marium Ashram. Vipassana will be working with all the Dioceses of the Church to establish emotional support programmes for the benefit of the community and members of the Church. We are grateful to all the Metropolitans of the Malankara Orthodox Church for their blessings.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Volunteers<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Following individuals are regularly volunteering for Telephone Helpline and Face-to-face support at the centre: Dr.Rosamma Alex, Dr.Annamma Varghese, Mr.John D.Kunnathu, Mrs.Lisy Kunnathu, Mrs.Lovely Rajan, Ms.Reshma Elsa Reji, Prof.Susan Thomas, Mrs.Molly Mathew, Mrs.Mini Kurian, Mr.Narayanan Nampoori,Mr.Biju Joseph,Mr.Chako Tharakan, Mrs.Mariamma Tharakan,Mr.Rajeev Vadasseri, Mr.K.C.Jacob. The Vipassana is immensely thankful for their service. We are also thankful to Mr.Anish Abraham and Mr.Jerry Varghese (MOHE Office) for their support.Thanks to Mr.Manu John(Chennai) and\u00a0St. Thomas College of Arts&Science,\u00a0Chennai for donating two used computers.Thanks are due to Mr.Thomas Varghese(Kandanad) for donating a used Inkjet Printer for the office.Thanks also to a well-wisher who donated a new Inverter \/UPS for the office.<\/span><\/p>\n Vipassana is immensely thankful to H.H.Bavathirumeni for all the blessings. HG.Dr.Thomas Mar Athanasios (President,MOHE) and HG.Geevarghese Mar Coorilos(President, MGOCSM) are inspiring us. Thanks are due to Fr.P.A.Philip(Deputy Secretary,MOHE) for the encouragement and support for all the activities of Vipassana. We are also thankful to Fr.Thomas Zacharia (Principal Secretary to Catholicos),Fr.Philan P.Mathew (General Secretary, MGOCSM), Fr.Abraham Mathai, Fr.Mathew K.Mathew, Prof.P.C.Elias, Prof.Dr.Joseph P.Varghese, Prof.John Chandy, Prof.Dr.Issak Pampady, Dr.Varghese Punnoose, the Executive Committe members of MOHE and the Executive Committe members of MGOCSM for their support and encouragement.Thanks are due to resource persons of training programmes: Fr.Dr.K.M.George, Fr.Dr.O.Thomas,Fr.Dr.John Thomas Karingattil, Rev.Dr.Abraham Kuruvilla, Dr.Mereen Punnen,Dr.V.Satheesh, and Mrs.Maya Susan Jacob.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0For Volunteers of Vipassana,<\/span><\/p>\n Dr.Siby Tharakan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Director-Vipassana<\/span><\/p>\n Mob:9446029859<\/span><\/p>\n