BIO: 

Dr Peter Castelino is the Founder and Managing Director of COOJ Mental Health Foundation which runs a suicide prevention program in Goa and is a consultant psychiatrist having his own private practice . This year completes 14 years of the Distress Suicide Helpline which is part of of network of helplines under Befrienders Worldwide.  

He is actively involved with suicide prevention work and has conducted more than 100 gatekeeper trainings besides networking with various stakeholders. He is currently running a project ISAS that provides support to survivors of a suicide attempt . 

He has initiated programs in psychosocial rehabilitation of people with psychological disabilities as well as geriatric and dementia care besides creating community mental health services.  He is currently developing a program in association with a Swiss organization, Secodev called STEPPN with the goal of creating work opportunities for people with psychiatric disorders and neurodiversity  He is a past president of the Psychiatric Society of Goa , was a Member of the Goa State Mental Health Authority,  is a Member of the State Commission for persons with disabilities, was  Chairman of the State IMA committee on Suicide Prevention and Substance Abuse , Member of the International association for Suicide prevention. 

He is a Fellow of the Indian Psychiatric Society and has received the Bagadia Award from them for community work.  His project Geriatric Digital Intervention Program won the prestigious Pre Perspectives Award in Switzerland in 2022. Has been a speaker at several National and International conferences .