Hidden struggles of Indian expats revealed

CASES RANGING FROM FAMILY CONFLICTS TO DRUG ABUSE POUR IN AFTER IAS LAUNCHED R.I.S.E. INITIATIVE THIS MONTH

- BY ASHWANI KUMAR Chief Reporter

From shocking family conflicts to cases involving drug abuse and mental health crises, a growing number of Indian expats are turning to the Indian Association Sharjah (IAS) for help and intervention.

In the wake of two tragic suicides involving women from Kerala, IAS launched R.I.S.E., a family dispute redressal initiative, on August 2, in coordination with Sharjah Police's Community Preventive and Protection Department and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

R.I.S.E. is an acronym for Reach, Inspire, Support, and Empower. IAS has mobilised about 25 trained psychological counsellors from Sharjah Indian School, and volunteers. A panel comprising management, PROs, and admin staff now responds to distress calls and arranges counselling sessions.

Deep-rooted problems

Youseph Sagheer K.S., a veteran committee member and key figure behind R.I.S.E., said that distress cases began pouring in soon after the initiative was announced at the end of July.