55-year-old Bubuli Behera works as a garden supervisor at Jobra Park in Cuttack, India, which looks out at the Mahanadi barrage. At the age of 15, Behera was fishing in the river when he saw a woman jump off the barrage. Behera dove into the water and was able to pull her to safety on land. Since then, Behera has saved over 50 people from attempted suicide on the Mahandi barrage. Each time, Behera goes to the hospital with the survivor and waits with them until they are cleared to leave. In those vulnerable moments, Behera often asks these individuals about what drove them to attempt to take their own life. Some students blamed their failing grades, and many women cited marital issues like domestic violence and affairs. Mental health care is not widely available in the area, and Behera takes it upon himself to talk with those he rescues about their problems and how to cope. The good samaritan was recently granted a civilian award from the Chief Minister for his work saving dozens of lives and spreading the power of mental health care.
Image via The New Indian Express
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