Dear Editor,
We have previously proposed principles justifying Unity and Human Development (UHD) in a paper that can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/18odYmG. Our concern for human development in Guyana, and the tragic death of thirteen-year old Mr Sawraj Camal Persaud move us to add to calls for vigourous action to combat the wave of suicide swamping our country. The topmost results of a Google search show results for suicide and suicide rates in Guyana since 2010. World Health Organisation figures from 2011 showed that we have the fourth highest suicide rate on earth. There is obviously nothing good about that. Here is an excerpt from an editorial in Stabroek News on September 27, 2007: “Pan American Health Organisation statistics indicate the Guyana’s suicide deaths more than doubled from 12.4 per 100,000 in 1990 to 26.8 in 2001. During the same period by comparison, Trinidad and Tobago’s rate actually fell from 13.7 to 12.8 per 100,000.”
Several questions arise. What combination of circumstances and emotional pain moves a thirteen-year old boy to take his own life? Were his family and friends totally unaware of signs of pending disaster? If they were aware, did they simply not know how to help? What has been done in the last four years to reduce suicide rates in our country? How much more will suicides add to emigration to hinder national development? What will be the long term effects on the development of our human resources if the current trend of suicides continues? If the prevalence is among youths, what effect will it have on generations to come? If the prevalence expands among working adults, what are likely to be the effects on Guyanese family structures?
Regarding government efforts, we acknowledge the Gate Keepers programme set up while Dr Leslie Ramsammy was Minister of Health. Even so, we strongly urge government – including current Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud – to intensify their fight against suicide strenuously, and to work to expand the involvement of civil society, religious organisations, and international assistance to reinforce government efforts. We understand that successful suicide is seldom the result of an instantaneous decision.
Suicides more usually follow long periods of intense distress and helplessness. If one feels suicidal in Guyana, upon whom does one rely? Trusted relatives and friends? Non-judgmental religious figures? Do they have the emotional tools to help sufficiently? Can easily accessible suicide hot lines and counselling centres be established with the involvement of foreign entities, and members of civil society in and out of the country?
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security should also be actively involved in combating suicide. Schools play an integral role because they are the primary contact with children outside of the home. It is at school that our children socialise, so teachers should be trained to recognize danger signs. The relevant government ministries should work together to provide properly qualified counsellors at every school to work with children during and after school hours.
Moreover, it is the view of some that many of the currently available ‘counsellors,’ ie, those at GPH and Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, tend toward the disciplinarian rather than being a caring resource for children to open up to and confide in – children visiting them leave more distressed than relieved. This should be assessed, and if needed, corrected with proper training.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a recent study in the USA showed that on average, workers there with serious mental illness earn US$16,000 per year less than their mentally healthy colleagues, causing lost earnings of US$193 billion. The figures for Guyana will obviously be lower, but what numbers can we really afford to ignore? For those inclined to believe that suicide is only “their” problem, we urge compassion and carefulness with ‘otherism.’ The more “they” commit suicide – whether “they” are defined by poverty, profession, race, religion, or residential location – the easier it becomes for “us” and “ours” to believe that suicide is an easy solution to seemingly inescapable worries that nearly all of us meet in life from time to time. Suicide is our problem, not just theirs. Victims of suicide – like those of wife-beating, diabetes, and HIV-AIDS – deserve our help: they are people too, and do not deserve to become negative role models for any of us who have ever been depressed or bedevilled.
Yours faithfully,
Sandra Shivdat
Mark DaCosta
Terrence Simon
Hubert Wong
Tarron Khemraj
