Fifteen-year-old Sita* had stopped coming to school. She had retreated into her room, and was often on the verge of tears whenever anyone approached. In Sarlahi, where parents often travel across the border to India for work, children left behind with relatives can sometimes slip through the emotional cracks. For Sita, similarly, the weight of failing her exams and the feeling of being a "burden" to her aunt and uncle had become unbearable.
Rabina, who has received training as a mentor under the Safe-Girls project funded by KOICA and implemented by UNFPA and partners, understood that she could not walk away from this issue. “In the past, I might have misunderstood her anger or even neglected her thinking that she just needed space, but my training taught me that withdrawal is a silent cry for help. In moments of deep distress, persistence is everything,” she said.
Rabina was able to gain access to Sita’s room on the second day and found Sita lying on the bed with a blank, exhausted stare. Rabina did not provide Sita with advice or impose on her the expectations of normal conversation; instead, she sat quietly by Sita and waited. Rabina eventually provided Sita with the words that changed everything.
“I am here with you.”
Sita's true depth of despair came out as she started to open up. She showed Rabina the dark marks on her neck that the coconut rope had left. She had attempted to take her own life, but neither her caregivers nor her neighbors had noticed.
Rabina used her Psychological First Aid (PFA) training to get through this crisis. She stayed calm, understood Sita's pain, and moved very carefully to protect her privacy. Sita was scared that the community would find out and wanted to keep her fight to herself.
Rabina changed her focus to the home environment, following the idea of "meeting the survivors where they are.” She also sat down with Sita's older sister and persuaded the family to change their approach from being defensive to being protective towards their loved one.
“I convinced the family that Sita did not need more pressure,” says Rabina. “She needed a safe environment right there at home.”
With Sita's agreement at every step, Rabina connected her to life skills and self-defense sessions, places meant to build confidence without any stigma. Over time, the girl who once refused to leave her room started to come out of her shell.
Today, the change is complete. Sita is back in school, her mother returned from India to support her, and the girl who was once silent is now called "Chulbul," meaning bubbly and full of life.
“Saving a life is not always about doing something heroic,” Rabina says as she thinks about her journey as a mentor.
“It is about having the right training to listen when others are quiet. Because I stayed and listened, Sita is finding her smile again.”
*Names have been changed to maintain anonymity.
If you or someone you know requires mental health support, please seek help using the following toll free numbers.
1166 — National suicide prevention and mental health crisis helpline
1660 010 2005 — TPO Nepal: A toll-free psychosocial support and counselling line available daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (free from NTC).
1098 — Child Helpline: A critical support number for children and adolescents in distress
1145 — National Women Commission helpline
