The Ministry of Public Health is encouraging members of the public who need advice or counseling, to contact the inter-agency suicide prevention help-line.
This appeal comes on the heels of the success of the recently launched helpline.
In a press release the Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) noted that the helpline has been proving to be very helpful to many Guyanese since its establishment.
“The line, which functions as a “coping partner” for many, recently helped to save the life of a young man from Santa Mission,” the release said.
The Minister of Health and a team from the soon-to-be established Mental Health Secretariat shared with GINA the story of the 19 year old who is reportedly suffering from depression.
According to the release the young man reached out to the helpline for assistance and was granted immediate counseling via the call.
Contact was also made with the health care professionals in his area, who subsequently took over his case.
This helpline which was launched on August 6 last “is designed to provide comfort, counseling and support to persons who are struggling, not only with suicidal, but other issues, which can affect their mental health and or life, and possibly lead to suicide. This includes substance abuse, depression, anger management, abuse, and neglect, along with any other issue which can result in self inflected pain or damage.”
