Kelkkaam: A Movement of Listening, Compassion, and a Voice Growing Louder |

Student suicides in Kerala have surged by nearly 50% in the past decade, raising urgent concerns about the emotional wellbeing of schoolchildren. Data presented in the Kerala Assembly shows that the state recorded 39,962 suicides between January 2021 and March 2025, with numbers rising dramatically from 6,227 deaths in 2021 to 10,994 in 2023. While not all of these cases involved students, the alarming upward trend reflects a deepening mental health crisis across age groups, genders, and communities.

In this challenging landscape, Kelkkaam — Malayalam for “Let’s Listen” — has emerged as a compassionate global movement dedicated to suicide prevention and mental wellbeing. Operating more as a community-driven support system than a conventional registered charity, Kelkkaam is built on one transformative principle: listening as an act of healing.

For Malayalis in Kerala and abroad, emotional struggles often remain unspoken. Migrants experience loneliness and work pressure; students face overwhelming academic expectations; families endure conflict; and professionals silently battle stress and burnout. Many hesitate to seek help due to stigma, shame, or fear. Kelkkaam responds by creating safe spaces where individuals can speak freely and be heard without judgement.

Kelkkaam is more than a project – it is a global Malayali suicide-prevention movement committed to mental well-being, reducing anxiety, and helping people overcome depression. By encouraging meaningful conversations, it builds a circle of care that extends from Kerala to Malayali communities across the Gulf, Europe, the Americas, and beyond.

Why Kelkkaam Matters

Kerala’s rising suicide figures reflect deep-rooted social and emotional pressures: isolation, financial strain, academic stress, family instability, and the stigma surrounding mental health. Migrants, students, families, and working professionals often feel alone in their struggles. Kelkkaam steps in as a compassionate response to this silence, not by offering quick solutions, but by building safe spaces where struggles can be spoken aloud, where emotions matter, and where listening becomes a pathway to healing.

Leadership and Expertise

Initiated by Fr. Davis Chiramal, Founder of the Kidney Federation, the movement is supported by distinguished leaders who bring vision, credibility, and social responsibility:

Justice Kurian Joseph – Former Judge, Supreme Court of India
Gopinath Muthukad – World-renowned magician and motivational speaker
Santhosh George Kulangara – Traveller, television director, and broadcaster

Kelkkaam’s professional strength comes from its committed UK based team of mental health experts and supporters:

Francis Mathew – Dr. Gracious Simon – Fr. Jinson

Deepak Dominic – Dr. Jesna Thottiyan Johny – Sibby Thomas

Fr. Jinson (Oxford) – Psychologist and Oxford Parish priest providing crucial mentoring and psychological guidance
Francis Mathew (UK) – Senior Director, Law & Lawyers Ltd, London
Dr. Gracious Simon (UK) – Acting Consultant Psychiatrist with 27+ years’ experience in community psychiatry, PTSD, old-age psychiatry, ADHD, and complex mental disorders
Sibby Thomas (UK) – Social worker specialising in adult mental health services
Dr. Jesna Thottiyan Johny (UK) – Senior Consultant Psychologist; Chartered Member & Associate Fellow, British Psychological Society
Deepak Dominic – Project Head, offering strategic leadership and innovation

A Global Network of 1,000+ Caring Voices

At the heart of Kelkkaam is a vast community of more than 1,000 trained volunteers, counsellors, and professionals, working across continents to provide compassionate, confidential support. Their efforts ensure that help is available across time zones, cultures, and languages.

Kelkkaam also empowers community members by training them to become listeners themselves. This creates a ripple effect of empathy within families, workplaces, campuses, and diaspora communities. Every conversation strengthens the movement.

What Kelkkaam Offers

To support the global Malayali community, Kelkkaam provides:

Mental Health Support – Online counselling and self-help resources
Crisis Intervention – A helpline for immediate support and suicide-prevention
Community Outreach – Awareness drives, workshops, local support groups
Family & Expatriate Support – Help with conflict resolution, loneliness, work stress
Volunteer Training – Preparing students and adults with listening and mental health awareness skills

Kelkkaam’s initiatives operate 24/7, forming a global safety net for anyone in distress.

Expanding Across the World

To meet growing demand, Kelkkaam is expanding internationally, with new chapters planned in:

United States – July 2026

United Kingdom – February 2026

This growth underscores the movement’s commitment to delivering culturally appropriate mental health support for Malayalis worldwide.

These initiatives operate around the clock, forming a global safety net for anyone in distress. Kelkkaam’s strength lies in its ability to integrate professional expertise with community warmth, ensuring help is not only available but accessible and compassionate.