Rotary presents bold new phase to combat Sri Lanka's mental health crisis

Healing Minds Matter initiative

- By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

In response to the deepening mental health crisis in the country, Rotary in Sri Lanka launched the next phase of its landmark mental health initiative - Rotary for Healing Minds Matter. Sri Lanka currently faces a deepening mental health emergency, with 3285 suicides reported in 2024. With the launch of the Healing Minds Matter mobile app, the Rotary movement aims to deploy trained gatekeepers to the grassroots communities and give vulnerable individuals a second chance to life.

Launched in 2024-2025 under the leadership of Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) Rtn. Sushena Ranatunga, Healing Minds Matter has rapidly grown into a nationally recognised movement. The initiative was brought to life by the Rotary Clubs of Colombo Mid Town and Colombo Port City.

Speaking at the launch, Healing Minds Matter project Co-Chair, Immediate Past President Rtn. Michael Jayawardana said that a little over a year ago, Rotary set out on a mission that was both ambitious and deeply human. “Together with my co-chair Rtn. Rasini Bandara, a dedicated team of Rotarians across the island reached over 11,000 people with programmes on mental well-being. We trained 310 QPR-certified suicide prevention gatekeepers, ordinary men and women who are now prepared to recognize warning signs of suicide and intervene with compassion and save lives. These are not just members but stories of young people who found hope, workers who found resilience and families who found strength. Every statistic hides a face and every life saved is a victory for humanity. The challenge before us is quite urgent and serious. Sri Lanka loses on average 10-12 people everyday to suicide and behind everyone of those numbers is a parent, friend, a child whose loss leaves a void that could never be filled,” he underscored.