The Ministry of Health and the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) are partnering to raise awareness of and aid in the prevention of suicides in Guyana through a walk to be held on September 14.
According to a Ministry of Health press release, executives of the IAC and Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran met and exchanged ideas on suicide prevention and it is through this, that a walk will be held on September 14. The walk will commence at 7.00 am from the Bank of Guyana, will proceed east along Church Street, the press release stated. It will continue north into Camp Street, west into Lamaha Street, north into High Street and will end at the Umana Yana, where a poster display will be mounted and an address will be given by Ramsaran and Dr Bhiro Harry, National Psychiatrist.
Ramsaran stated that the ministry has undertaken several initiatives over an extended period of time to increase the awareness of and to curb suicides such as training of persons and a recently held mental health colloquium during which Dr Sean Doorn presented on early recognition signs of mental health issues. In addition, Ramsaran has expressed the need for everyone to be involved in providing assistance and counselling to all who seek help and display suicidal tendencies. Besides, those programmes, Ramsaran said, the ministry has committed to working with organisations that have an expressed interest in social issues and one such is the IAC.
The press release said the IAC views suicide as a national priority and Guyana has had such a high rate that it captured the attention of an international news network which produced a story to reflect that trend. Moreso, the IAC has expressed the dire need for meaningful collaboration between the Ministries of Human Services and Social Security, Health and Culture, Youth and Sport to derive a plan of action to increase awareness of and ultimately eliminate suicide.
