Charter of Befriending

The Eight-point Charter of befriending forms the corner-stone of all aspects of Maithri's functioning. This Charter was formulated by Befrienders International and remains a guiding document for over 330 community based suicide prevention centres spread over 30 countries. 

The Charter presents to the public at large important aspects of our functioning, such as:

• Mission

• Objective and Plan of Action

• Confidentiality Policy

• Volunteer selection and training

• Co-operation with Professional services

Eight point Charter

1. The primary purpose of the centres is to give emotional support to people when they are suicidal.

2. The volunteers who serve the centres also seek to alleviate misery, loneliness, despair and depression by listening to those who feel they cannot turn to anyone else who would understand and accept them.

3. Contact with a centre does not limit individual freedom, which is further protected by the right to remain anonymous.

4. The fact that someone has been in contact with a centre (whether by telephone, letter, visit or any other means) is confidential, so too is everything revealed by or about the person.

5. The centres are non-political and non-sectarian, and the volunteers do not seek to impose their own convictions on anyone.

6. Volunteers are selected, trained, guided and supported by other experienced volunteers.

7. Centres may on certain occasions request the advice of professional consultants.

8. In appropriate circumstances individuals may be invited to consider seeking professional help in addition to the support offered by a centre.

For anyone seeking Maithri's support, The charter informs what is being offered.

For anyone wishing to join as a Volunteer, it states what is being expected of them.

For potential donors, it describes what they are being invited to support.