Mental shock and trauma can sometimes be the reason behind teenage suicide. Tackling this tragic issue is a relatively new project at the child and adolescent psychiatric department of Landspítali University Hospital in Iceland. Aptly named "A Call for Life", the four-year project is supported by Stodir.
A Call for Life is aimed at 12 to 18 year olds who, after suffering serious mental shock, have been identified by the institution's specialists as being at risk of suicide. The project reaches out to the children's families, aiming to recreate an environment of trust and rekindle the joy of life. All family members take an active part in the treatment sessions that are specially designed to deal with this type of situation.
The specialist work now underway at the University Hospital will be closely monitored and the results made public in the appropriate way.
Stodir is pleased to assist such an important initiative for our society. Working with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, another organisation we are proud to support, we are jointly organising annual benefit concerts to help fund the project. In December 2007, Stodir sponsored the first such charity concert, which featured the renowned opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa performing with the Icelandic tenor Gardar Thor Cortes and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
The December 2007 benefit concert raised more than ISK 6 million. The overall cost of the four-year programme is estimated to be around ISK 20 million.
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department of Landspítali University Hospital (BUGL)