I moved to Lithuania from Pakistan in 2019 to study Theology and International Relations and Development at LCC International University. I soon discovered that suicide is one of the major social issues in Lithuania. I was deeply moved by the personal testimonies of people who had experienced suicidal thoughts, so I decided to find ways to bring about positive change in this area. Although suicide is a huge issue, I realized that even small steps can have a significant impact. In the summer of 2020, I founded Gausus Gyvenimas (Abundant Life) with a vision to create an organization that would serve as a bridge between local organizations and the community. The problem is not a lack of information, but a lack of connection among people. Help is available, but because of the stigma surrounding mental health issues, people are reluctant to reach out for support. I truly enjoy everything Lithuania has to offer, and my affection for this country grows every year. My passion for God and love for people are my main motivations for continuously raising awareness about mental health issues through the arts and media. My teammates and I are committed to achieving our goal of reducing suicide rates in Lithuania by 30% by 2030. I am also an ambassador for Choose Klaipėda, the European Youth Capital 2021. I enjoy public speaking and have received the Speakers University National Director’s certificate, an award from the Global Leadership Symposium, and a Volunteer Certificate from the Geneva Summit for Human Rights in 2020. My most recent award is “Youth Leader of the Year 2020,” which I received in Klaipėda, Lithuania.
