Colombo, May 24, 2024 – A tragic incident occurred last night when a 19-year-old male is suspected to have jumped to his death from a flyover onto the Outer Circular Highway in Colombo. The incident happened near the 1.2km post of the highway around 7:00 p.m.
The youth, who fell from the flyover, collided with a car heading towards Matara. He was seriously injured and subsequently pronounced dead after being admitted to Homagama Base Hospital.
The deceased, a resident of Athurugiriya, was identified as a student at a private university in Padukka. The police are investigating the incident, which they suspect to be a suicide based on a note found at the youth's home indicating his intent to take his own life.
The car involved in the collision was damaged, and the driver has been arrested for further questioning. The police are continuing their investigation to confirm the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Contact a suicide hotline for free support
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone. They are more common than you might think, which is why there are 3 suicide hotlines (or helplines and crisis lines) in Sri Lanka that can offer help to anyone struggling with feeling suicidal.
1926 - National Mental Health Helpline is dedicated to providing 24/7, free and confidential support by phone and text message
Sri Lanka Sumithrayo offers emotional support +94 11 2 682535 +94 707 308 308
Suicidal thoughts might involve:
Losing your motivation to keep going
Thinking there is nothing worth living for
Thinking that the world would be better off without you
Feeling or thinking you are worthless
Fascination with the concept of death and dying
A deep sense of hopelessness
Feeling a deep sense of loneliness or isolation
Feeling like you can't cope with the pain anymore
When you're suicidal, you're going through an emotional crisis. Being in crisis mode can give rise to intense emotions that are difficult to process. You may be overwhelmed and want nothing more than for the pain to end. It may not seem like it, but things can get better.
Contact a hotline or helpline for free, confidential support
It can be difficult to know where to turn when you're struggling with your mental health. Whether you're going through a tough time, or you're concerned about a loved one, you can turn to a helpline or hotline for crisis counseling support. 3 helplines are available in Sri Lanka to help you.
It may seem scary to call. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident to access the free support that is available to you.
What is a helpline or hotline?
Helplines, otherwise known as hotlines or crisis lines, offer free, confidential counseling support to people in emotional pain. Some offer support over the phone, and others over text message or online chat.
How will a helpline or hotline support me?
Helpline responders support you by listening to you, helping you understand your emotions better, and working with you on a plan forward. Having a plan about what to do next can help you feel more in control.
Who will I talk to when I contact a helpline?
When you call a helpline, you'll connect with a volunteer or counselor, or sometimes with a peer with similar experience to the topic of the helpline. They are often trained and experienced in active listening or crisis counseling. This means they know how to help people in your situation.
What issues can I talk to a helpline about?
Helplines are there for anyone who might be in need of free support for mental and behavioral health problems. If you are struggling with something specific, such as suicide, depression, anxiety, or domestic violence, there are often helplines that cater specifically to these issues. You may also be able to contact a helpline related to your demographic, such as helplines that are specifically for teenagers, veterans or the LGBTQ+ community. A lot of helplines provide support for a variety of mental and behavioral health issues, so you can talk with them about anything that is concerning you.
What is a suicide hotline?
For help with thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life, you can contact a suicide prevention hotline, also known as a crisis line or lifeline. Suicide hotlines are available 24/7 in most countries. These crisis services commonly support with any problem you might be facing, so you can also call them if you aren't thinking about suicide.
Will a helpline talk to me about someone I'm concerned about?
Helplines aren't just for the times when you need support. They can also be helpful if you're worried about someone else. When you contact a helpline for advice about someone you care about, they will talk with you about how you might support the person. This might look like support resources that person is able to access, or behaviors or actions you can take to help their situation.
What hotlines and helplines are available to me?
In Sri Lanka, there are 3 hotlines and helplines that support with a range of topics.
The first helpline was set up in 1953. Today, there are over 2,000 helplines supporting with a wide variety of issues, experiences and demographics. Their shared desire to assist those going through emotional or mental distress binds them together. No matter what your problem is, talking to someone can help and helplines provide this vital service, for free.
The youth, who fell from the flyover, collided with a car heading towards Matara. He was seriously injured and subsequently pronounced dead after being admitted to Homagama Base Hospital.
The deceased, a resident of Athurugiriya, was identified as a student at a private university in Padukka. The police are investigating the incident, which they suspect to be a suicide based on a note found at the youth's home indicating his intent to take his own life.
The car involved in the collision was damaged, and the driver has been arrested for further questioning. The police are continuing their investigation to confirm the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Contact a suicide hotline for free support
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone. They are more common than you might think, which is why there are 3 suicide hotlines (or helplines and crisis lines) in Sri Lanka that can offer help to anyone struggling with feeling suicidal.
1926 - National Mental Health Helpline is dedicated to providing 24/7, free and confidential support by phone and text message
Sri Lanka Sumithrayo offers emotional support +94 11 2 682535 +94 707 308 308
Suicidal thoughts might involve:
Losing your motivation to keep going
Thinking there is nothing worth living for
Thinking that the world would be better off without you
Feeling or thinking you are worthless
Fascination with the concept of death and dying
A deep sense of hopelessness
Feeling a deep sense of loneliness or isolation
Feeling like you can't cope with the pain anymore
When you're suicidal, you're going through an emotional crisis. Being in crisis mode can give rise to intense emotions that are difficult to process. You may be overwhelmed and want nothing more than for the pain to end. It may not seem like it, but things can get better.
Contact a hotline or helpline for free, confidential support
It can be difficult to know where to turn when you're struggling with your mental health. Whether you're going through a tough time, or you're concerned about a loved one, you can turn to a helpline or hotline for crisis counseling support. 3 helplines are available in Sri Lanka to help you.
It may seem scary to call. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident to access the free support that is available to you.
What is a helpline or hotline?
Helplines, otherwise known as hotlines or crisis lines, offer free, confidential counseling support to people in emotional pain. Some offer support over the phone, and others over text message or online chat.
How will a helpline or hotline support me?
Helpline responders support you by listening to you, helping you understand your emotions better, and working with you on a plan forward. Having a plan about what to do next can help you feel more in control.
Who will I talk to when I contact a helpline?
When you call a helpline, you'll connect with a volunteer or counselor, or sometimes with a peer with similar experience to the topic of the helpline. They are often trained and experienced in active listening or crisis counseling. This means they know how to help people in your situation.
What issues can I talk to a helpline about?
Helplines are there for anyone who might be in need of free support for mental and behavioral health problems. If you are struggling with something specific, such as suicide, depression, anxiety, or domestic violence, there are often helplines that cater specifically to these issues. You may also be able to contact a helpline related to your demographic, such as helplines that are specifically for teenagers, veterans or the LGBTQ+ community. A lot of helplines provide support for a variety of mental and behavioral health issues, so you can talk with them about anything that is concerning you.
What is a suicide hotline?
For help with thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life, you can contact a suicide prevention hotline, also known as a crisis line or lifeline. Suicide hotlines are available 24/7 in most countries. These crisis services commonly support with any problem you might be facing, so you can also call them if you aren't thinking about suicide.
Will a helpline talk to me about someone I'm concerned about?
Helplines aren't just for the times when you need support. They can also be helpful if you're worried about someone else. When you contact a helpline for advice about someone you care about, they will talk with you about how you might support the person. This might look like support resources that person is able to access, or behaviors or actions you can take to help their situation.
What hotlines and helplines are available to me?
In Sri Lanka, there are 3 hotlines and helplines that support with a range of topics.
The first helpline was set up in 1953. Today, there are over 2,000 helplines supporting with a wide variety of issues, experiences and demographics. Their shared desire to assist those going through emotional or mental distress binds them together. No matter what your problem is, talking to someone can help and helplines provide this vital service, for free.
