A landmark gathering took place at the Palace of Westminster as KELKKAAM, the global suicide prevention movement founded on the simple principle of listening, formally launched its International Signpost Volunteer Campaign before Members of Parliament, faith leaders, healthcare professionals, and community representatives from across Britain and beyond.
The movement has been inspired and championed by Father Davis Cheramel, the internationally respected humanitarian who became known around the world after donating one of his kidneys to a stranger.
Hosted at the House of Commons by Danny Beales MP, the event marked a significant milestone in the growth of KELKKAAM from a local community initiative into an emerging international movement committed to suicide prevention, emotional wellbeing, and the removal of stigma surrounding mental health.
The event drew strong support from Sojan Joseph MP. As a former mental health nurse, Mr. Joseph joined the gathering to lend his professional insight and backing to the campaign, reinforcing the critical need for accessible, community-led mental health support networks.”
The message carried into the halls of Parliament was simple, urgent, and profoundly human:
“When someone is in crisis, ask for help and make sure there is always someone there to answer.”
Speaking about the core vision of the initiative, Father Cheramel shared a deeply reassuring message for those going through difficult times: “This mission is dedicated to anyone currently facing despair. We want you to know that we are here for you. Please, sit down and talk to us in your hour of need. You do not have to carry this burden by yourself, we are here to break that silence together.”
Breaking the Silence
Suicide remains one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization, more than 700,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide.
Yet despite increasing awareness, many people continue to suffer in silence because of fear, shame, cultural barriers, or the stigma attached to discussing emotional distress and mental illness. KELKKAAM, which means “Let’s Listen” in Malayalam, seeks to challenge that silence.
The movement encourages individuals, families, faith communities, and organisations to create environments where people feel safe to speak about their struggles and seek support without fear of judgement.
It Takes a Village to Save a Life
There is an ancient proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The KELKKAAM campaign has extended that timeless wisdom into the most urgent territory of modern life. Just as no child can flourish in isolation, no person in crisis should have to face their darkest hour alone. KELKKAAM believes that it takes an entire community to save a life.
At the heart of the campaign is the International Signpost Volunteer Programme, which aims to recruit and train volunteers across communities, workplaces, educational institutions, churches, temples, mosques, and social organisations.
The Signpost Volunteer Campaign is building that village — one trained volunteer at a time. Compassionate, listening human beings are being embedded into everyday spaces across the United Kingdom and beyond.
A Signpost Volunteer does not need to be a doctor or a therapist. Instead, they serve as a compassionate first point of contact — someone who notices, listens, and guides a person toward professional support. They are there to say the most important words a person in distress can hear:
“You don’t have to go through this alone. Let me help you find support.”
A Global Vision
KELKKAAM operates a free and confidential service supported by a network of volunteer doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, and trained listeners.
The service currently reaches Malayali communities across the world and has become a valuable lifeline for many individuals facing emotional difficulties. However, organisers believe the movement’s future extends far beyond any one language, country, or community.
The long-term ambition is to establish KELKKAAM as a recognised international suicide prevention charity working in partnership with governments, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and global organisations. Organisers aim to see KELKKAAM contribute to international discussions on mental health and develop partnerships aligned with the objectives of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and other global suicide prevention bodies.
Removing the Stigma
One of the campaign’s strongest messages is that asking for help should never be viewed as a weakness.
Many communities around the world continue to regard mental health struggles as a private matter that should not be discussed openly. This culture of silence often prevents people from seeking support until it is too late. KELKKAAM aims to change that narrative by promoting a culture where seeking help is viewed as an act of courage, where communities actively support vulnerable individuals, and where conversations about emotional wellbeing become as normal as conversations about physical health.
Join the Movement
The campaign is now recruiting volunteers across the United Kingdom and internationally to become part of the growing KELKKAAM Signpost Volunteer Network. Organisers believe that every volunteer, every conversation, and every act of listening has the potential to save a life.
Connect with KELKKAAM:
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WhatsApp: +91 80 6906 5222
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YouTube: youtube.com/@Kelkkaam
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Social Media: @kelkkaam2025
International Helplines & Crisis Support
This campaign stands in solidarity with major international suicide prevention bodies to ensure support is available worldwide. If you or someone you know needs urgent assistance, please contact the relevant service below:
| Country | Helpline / Service | Number |
| Kelkkaam (Global Malayali) | KELKKAAM Support Line | +91 80 6906 5222 |
| United Kingdom |
Samaritans (24/7) National Suicide Prevention Helpline |
116 123 0800 689 5652 |
| United States | Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7) | 988 |
| Canada | Suicide Crisis Helpline | 988 |
| India / Kerala |
Kirat Support KIRAN Mental Health Lifeline |
88888 17666 1800 599 0019 |
| Australia | Lifeline (24/7) | 13 11 14 |
| New Zealand | Call or Text Lifeline | 1737 |
| Ireland | Samaritans (24/7) | 116 123 |
| South Africa | Lifeline South Africa | 051 444 5691 |
| UAE | Mental Health Support Line | 800 46342 |
| Germany | TelefonSeelsorge | 0800 111 0 111 |
| France | National Suicide Prevention Line | 3114 |
| Spain | Linea de Ayuda a la Vida | 024 |
| Italy | Telefono Amico | 800 860 022 |
| Netherlands | Suicide Prevention Line | 113 |
| Belgium | Zelfmoordlijn | 1813 |
| Switzerland | Die Dargebotene Hand | 143 |
| Sweden | Mind Självmordslinjen | +46 31 711 2400 |
| Norway | Mental Helse | +47 815 33 300 |
| Denmark | Livslinien | +45 70 201 201 |
| Portugal | SOS Voz Amiga | 21 854 07 40 |
| Brazil | Centro de Valorização da Vida | 188 |
| Mexico | Línea de la Vida | 52 55 1025 50 |
| Argentina | Centro de Asistencia al Suicida | 135 |
| Japan | TELL Japan / Inochi no Denwa | 0570 783 556 |
| China | Beijing Suicide Prevention Center | 800 810 1117 |
| South Korea | Mental Health Hotline | (02) 715 8600 |
| Singapore | Samaritans of Singapore | 1767 |
| Malaysia | Befrienders Malaysia | (06) 284 2500 |
| Philippines | National Center for Mental Health | 02 8969 191 |
| Sri Lanka | Sumithrayo | 011 057 2222662 |
| Lebanon | Embrace Lifeline | 1564 |
| Jordan | National Mental Health Helpline | 110 |
| Egypt | General Secretariat of Mental Health | 16328 |
| Kenya | Befrienders Kenya | 722 178 177 |
| Nigeria | Nigeria Suicide Prevention Line | +234 809 210 6493 |
| Ghana | Mental Health Authority Helpline | +233 2444 71279 |
| Uganda | Mental Health Support Line | 0800 21 21 21 |
| Zambia | Lifeline Zambia | +260 960 264040 |
| Zimbabwe | Childline / Mental Health Line | 080 12 333 333 |
| Russia | National Helpline | 007 8202 577577 |
| Poland | Kryzysowy Telefon Zaufania | 52 70000 |
| Hungary | Lelki Elsősegély | 116 123 |
| Greece | Suicide Helpline | 1018 |
| Romania | Antisuicide Helpline | 0800 801 200 |
| Israel | ERAN | 1201 |
| Turkey | Psychological Support Line | 182 |
UK Helplines in Full
If you are based in the United Kingdom, the following dedicated resources are available:
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Samaritans — 116 123 (Free, available 24/7 for anyone needing someone to listen)
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National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK — 0800 689 5652 (Available 6pm to midnight)
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CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) — 0800 58 58 58 (Available 5pm to midnight for men and anyone in crisis)
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Shout Crisis Text Line — Text SHOUT to 85258 (Free, confidential, 24/7 text support)
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Papyrus HOPELINE247 — 0300 102 2470 (Available 24/7 for children and young people under 35)
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SANEline — 0300 304 7000 (Available 4:30pm to 10:30pm for specialist mental health support)
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Mind Infoline — 0300 102 1234 (Mental health information and support)
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