By The Caribbean Voice
The Caribbean Voice is a New York based NGO that has been involved in social activism since its launch in 1998. Currently it is focusing on suicide prevention and related issues in Guyana and the Diaspora and is working in collaboration with partners – other NGOs, businesses, socially conscious individuals, the media and various ministries in Guyana. Contact us at caribvoice@aol.com, NCarter2@ecommunity.com, 718-542-4454, or in Guyana at bibiahamad1@hotmail.com or 621-6111 or 223-2637. Check us out on facebook at ‘The Suicide Epidemic’.
Here’s what we know: Guyana suffers 44.2 suicides per 100,000 persons, or about 333 plus suicides per year – the highest rate in the world. Also, at a globally estimated 25 attempts per suicide, Guyana would have over 6660 attempted suicides a year. Also suicide is the leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24 and the third leading cause of death among persons ages 25-44, while in the 15-19 age group, it is the leading cause of death among females and the second leading cause of death among males. Yet the rate, the total amount of suicides and the total amount of attempted suicide could all be much higher since empirical evidence suggests that under reporting is quite significant.
03We know that suicide is usually triggered by copycatting, a practice referred to as the Werther Effect; alcoholism; abusive and dysfunctional relationships; lack of empathetic communication and teenage affairs and pregnancy. In fact, Guyana has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the Caribbean with an estimated 97 teenage girls between the ages of 15-19 out of 1000 becoming pregnant each year. Also, the average Guyanese drinker consumes 13.7 liters of pure alcohol each year with 6.1% of the population considered heavy drinkers (2010 figures). With respect to domestic violence, of the more than 60 percent of women who were involved in a relationship or union, 27.7 percent reported physical abuse, 26.3 percent had experienced verbal abuse and 12.7 percent experienced sexual violence (media reports, year not given). Yet it is noteworthy that all these figures could be higher, because of under reporting.
And we know that in Guyana almost all suicides are committed by ingesting poisons, especially agri-based and by hanging and are generally catalyzed by depression; feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and powerlessness; an inability to deal with problems (lack of coping skills) and low levels of self-acceptance and/or feelings of inadequacy.
Yet far too many Guyanese not only seem unaware of the magnitude of the suicide problem, but until suicide arrives at their own doorsteps, they are seemingly unconcerned. And while it is expected that government must take the lead in concerted action and make suicide a national priority, we also strongly believe that suicide prevention must be everybody’s business. Thus we fully endorse Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran’s call for a multi-sectoral approach to suicide prevention. So how do we plot this multi-sectoral course?
Firstly, all political parties should include suicide prevention and related issues in their everyday political life: press releases; information dissemination during their various outreaches; inclusion on their platforms and at public meetings; setting up of mechanisms to enable help to the public. Most importantly, one immediate and long overdue action is to decriminalize suicide. This archaic law – which says that “anyone who attempts suicide shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable to imprisonment for twelve months” – needs to be taken off the books now!
Secondly, our own experiences with the strategic partners indicate that many are willing to come on board if approached. In the four months since we started this campaign, we have garnered the support of over 20 strategic partners in and out of Guyana. We strongly feel that this should be the approach and that the media should be an integral partner. Meanwhile we commend the media for very forcefully putting suicide and related issues on the front burner over the last few months.
Thirdly, there is little need to reinvent the wheel. For example, from all reports the Gatekeepers’ Programme was having quite an impact. This programme had been launched in 2010 by Dr. Leslie Ramsammy to train selected individuals to recognise the signs and signals in a person’s life that make that person vulnerable or place them at risk of taking their life. Training was provided to members of various community-based organizations and NGOs and these people were to be quickly and easily accessed within the communities and then be able to take individual action as well as provide further referrals. The training requirements and training programme components for community organisations were finalized in 2009 by Dr Brian Mishara; an international expert in the gatekeeper intervention who provided technical input into the training components and methods. It is still an enigma as to why this important programme has not been brought back. And what about the suicide hotlines? When will they materialize? Since we launched our programme we have been assailed with the need for interventions. And we have learnt that other Diaspora based NGOs also have to deal with such needs. That so many reach for help outside of Guyana indicates an urgent necessity for access to such help locally. It is thus critical that contact information of counselors, trained personnel and related entities be publicized so people will know that picking up the phone or sending an email will ensure help at the other end.
Fourthly, suicide and related issues can be addressed at little or no cost simply by including such efforts in endeavors and activities that already exist or are planned. For example, the soon to be launched national schools cricket league can serve as a backdrop to positively influence young minds; banners can be placed at cricket stadiums and other sports venues; short messages can be played before the start of events at the Theatre Guild and the National Cultural Centre; businesses can include suicide prevention and related messages in their advertising campaigns…in effect the prospects are unlimited. In this respect we thank the Honourable Minister of Education for endorsing some of our proposals that include students being allowed to go out and rally with placards one day a year; schools to include discussion on suicide prevention and related issues on the agenda for PTA meetings and on the academic curricula; at least one guidance counselor per school; mental health courses for students at the Teachers’ Training College and UG and surveys by fifth formers.
Fifthly, while we agree with the focus on education, the content must be specifically tailored: dispelling myths, combating misinformation, focusing on identification of warning signs, providing basic counseling training that includes empathetic communication, self acceptance and coping strategies. This education must embrace all, especially police, teachers, medical personnel, community leaders and NGOs. In fact police sensitization should be an ongoing measure.
For a small nation like Guyana, losing so many lives to suicide brings with it social, economic, emotional and familial/community costs that the nation can ill afford. And so it becomes important that decision makers not only avail themselves to NGOs and others who are here to help but also seriously consider viable and practical proposals in keeping with the multi-sectoral approach. In this respect we would like to express our gratitude to Ministers, Dr. Frank Anthony and Priya Manickchand for meeting with us and to Ministers, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Jennifer Webster for consenting to our requests to meet.
Also organizations and individuals engaged in suicide prevention must realize that one has to possess minimal clinical training or establish partnerships with trained personnel to ensure that the right approaches are employed, otherwise irreparable damage can result. Such efforts must also focus on causes and triggers such as alcoholism, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and dysfunctional relationships on the one hand and on the other hand, protective factors, especially the following:
If you observe suicidal warning signs, get immediate help for the individual. Never, ever neglect to act because you think it’s not your business.
Communicate in such a way to build trust and show that you care. Don’t judge harshly and drive people away or make them feel alone, unwanted and unloved as this could hasten suicide attempts. And remain in touch as often as possible.
Always safely secure pesticides and poisons with access granted to the most responsible family member. In fact such items should never be sold to minors and their sale should be accompanied by information on safe use and storage.
Having officially kicked off our suicide prevention campaign with a press conference to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, we are now planning the launch of our monthly outreach with a weekend visit to Black Bush Polder on October 25 and 26. In the coming months we will get going with our billboard campaign – one billboard in every district; implement our training programme to increase the reservoir of those who can be first responders and offer help and support; get going with the national schools essay contest and continue information dissemination and advocacy through letters, articles, interviews and social media such as our facebook group ‘The Suicide Epidemic’ and our youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/ab10460/feed?view_as=public.
However, The Caribbean Voice wants to make it clear that it is not our intention to erect physical and administrative structures. We are a completely volunteer entity and we see our role as fostering national concerted action with maximum impact on the premise that suicide is preventable. Neither are we here to cast blame or play politics, step on toes, steal anyone’s thunder or seek status and recognition but rather to foster the implementation of solutions to social issues that affect daily lives, because we strongly believe that suicide is never the answer! And so we invite all like-minded entities and individuals to walk with us on this journey.
