Amayra - a photo-story book on suicide prevention

About the project

Amayra:The essence of life is a first fantasy photo story book on suicide prevention

After experiencing the suicide of my mom and surviving suicide myself, I have learnt the importance of reading a joyous, fascinating and inspirational book that can impart hope and courage during the darkest phase of your life. A photo storybook is simpler and breezier for children, busy homemakers and professionals. I want to help you smile while fighting with the suicidal thoughts.

What inspired you to do this?

There is no one who has not come across suicide news. Suicide by celebrities, techies, business tycoons, students or by any other common person. Until October 2013, these were nothing more than  a news for me.  Like everyone, I too had never imagined that such things could ever happen in my life or with my loved ones. Then, one incident changed my life. When I was away from home, one horrid morning I got news that my mom had commit suicide. Within a fraction of second, I was shattered entirely and felt that nothing left in my life.

I had sleepless nights for months thinking what went wrong and how could I have saved her from taking such step. I started surfing online more about the suicide cases and the suicidal behaviour. While my research I came to know about IASP (International Association for Suicide Prevention) and found that there are so many NGOs working for this cause all over the world. I visited few of the NGOs in India to understand how they work.

A person going through such phase do not know what to do or whom to approach with his or problems. As he does not want to trouble his friends or family. We never realise that someone close to us might be suffering from suicidal thoughts. I realised that in India, very less number of people are aware of such NGO and suicide prevention helpline.   

I wrote a novel, WITHOUT A GOODBYE, to inspire people to choose life when they are battling to decide to live or to die. I was amazed at the response! Readers contacted me to tell me how much the book had motivated them. But many of them said that how wonderful it would be if they could get a simpler version of the book and, then I realised:
1. Attention spans have become very short
2. Readership for an entire book has declined
3. Everyone is looking for exciting, joyful, fascinating way to handle their own personal issues
4. There was no such fascinating photo- story book on suicide prevention.

Without A Goodbye on amazon: http://amzn.to/1MtfNfQ

Then I decided, I couldn’t save my mom, but I can inspire others to save their life and their loved ones. With Saurav Anuraj, I started working on a short and fascinating book to spread the message that how one can win the battle of darkness inside himself. And then I wrote Amayra:The essence of life,  with one goal in mind: to publish  a photo-story book  to create the awareness about suicide prevention and the NGO helpline.

What is this photo story book about?

It is a fiction illustrated with the stunning photographs by Saurav Anuraj to create awareness about suicide prevention. The book portrays the life of a girl who decides to end her life one day. What happens to her? Where she go?

It also attempts to raise awareness about suicide prevention and motivate to re-think about one’s life and the problem he is facing. The book makes for a very inspirational reading for all those busy people who cannot read the novels. Even schoolchildren would enjoy reading the book with a positive vibe. 

Suicide: A global crises

As per the WHO data, more than 800 000 people die by suicide every year across the globe. Every 40 seconds a life is lost through suicide.

In India, in every 3 seconds, a person attempts to die and is the leading cause of death in the age-group between 15-29-years. 37.8% in India are by those below the age of 30 years and 71% of suicides are by persons below the age of 44 years.

Based on this parameter, the worst countries were North and South Korea, Guyana, Lithuania and Sri Lanka.

While the world average number of suicides due to all causes is 11.6 per 100, 000 India’s annual suicide rate is 10.5 per 100,000. It occupies the 12th position in the world.

Internationally, suicide accounts for 50% of all violent deaths in men and 71% in women. In India, the male-to-female ratio is 1.6.
 

A Year On The Road

Starting last March, I spent a few months reading the suicide cases and researching on the topic from different resources. I visited the NGOs in different parts of India working for the suicide prevention, met counsellors, suicide survivors and some people who were going through suicidal thoughts. In this January, I compiled my research and concluded in a script entitled Amayra. 

After lots of brainstorming for weeks, we created a storyboard, decided casting, location costumes, and other details and formed a team to shoot the story in next few weeks. 

Everyone was asking me to concentrate on writing novels, but I had made this cause my life goal and the satisfaction I get in return is worth it all. This project couldn't have happened without the benevolence of the family, friends, and strangers who helped me along the way.

The entire team worked hard in the blazing hot summer noon for two weeks, travelling to different locations.
I’m truly proud of the shots that you’ll see in this book, as well as the story behind those photos.

Why am I crowdfunding?

I have experienced what it feels if someone you love commit suicide and I myself is a survivor. Someone affected by a suicide and a survivor can fully grasp the value of each breath, of how precious the gift of life is. During my pain and hardship, I vowed that since I had decided to live, I would dedicate my life to save other’s life. Throughout my life’s struggles, I have been joyous and I want, like me, others also live with joy and a smile on their faces.

We do need to loosen up a little, stop glorifying suffering and be able to live their life happily. Creating this book is my big dream, a mission I am living for.

The mission of creating Amayra:

1.  Creating awareness about suicide prevention.
2. Imparting the message that suicide can’t be a solution to any problem and help people in thinking for a better way out.
3.  Creating awareness about NGO and helplines working for suicide prevention across the world.

How will the money be used?

I need Rs. 8,50,000 for this project. However, I am crowd funding for Rs. 5,00,000 of that amount.

The funds will be used in the following manner:

This book is my passion, the mission for which I am living. I have invested too many years into building my reputation and brand to risk it.  I have also support from International Association for Suicide Prevention (www.iasp.info) and an Indian Suicide Prevention Helpline, Sahai (www.sahaihelpline.org) for this book. Besides, Ketto ensures that every single paisa is accounted for and all dealings are completely transparent.

Exceeding our goal

Exceeding our goal will enable me to launch in different cities and organising suicide prevention events.

Other Ways You Can Help

• It is a dream come true to print this book. Words cannot describe how excited my team is for the opportunity to have the book in your hands.
• Please share this, promote it, talk about it, tell your family, friends, relatives, or anyone who might share this, or buy it. #supportAmayra
• For more details, contact swatikumari.swatz@gmail.com.
   

** We have also support from International Association for Suicide Prevention (www.iasp.info) and Bangalore-based suicide prevention helpline, Sahai (www.sahaihelpline.org) for suicide prevention programs and spreading the message of the book across the world.

** Portion of the proceeds will be donated to other suicide prevention programs.

I hope you fund this project and feel happy to give photo story book to the world that everyone would love to read and get a beautiful message about the life.

By supporting this project, you are creating awareness for suicide prevention.

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