A 15-year-old took her own life at a city school several days ago and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, through the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), has since intervened and is providing counselling to other students.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said that the CPA conducted a virtual session with students of the school.
During the meeting, CPA Head Ann Greene provided advice to the students.
“…..Ann Greene encouraged the children that should they too come across difficult situations in life, using a permanent solution for a temporary problem is never the way to go. Immediately following the meeting, one student visited the CPA and benefitted from a one-on-one session,” the statement noted.
In addition, the statement said that the students were also invited to one-on-one and in person counselling sessions with the agency. The ministry’s intervention is aimed at providing psychosocial support to the students. The family of the deceased will also benefit from the same assistance to deal with their loss.
The CPA has also promised to conduct a thorough investigation to determine what led to the teenager’s decision. “I gave them that promise and we’ve started the process to find out because you see, she’s gone too soon and there is need for the remaining students to get closure,” Greene was quoted as saying.
The statement further noted that the CPA has since visited the teen’s father, who remains distraught as to what might have caused his daughter to take such action.
“I am very disturbed that a school going child will take her life. We know that the parents are deeply affected by the loss of this child and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies from the Ministry and to offer our support,” Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud said in the statement.
“From the moment we heard this, we reached out to the school and her classmates and we provided counselling for those who have been seriously affected. We will work with the parents and all those involved because this is a very, very tough time for them,” she added.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of committing suicide, you can seek help from the Inter-Agency Suicide Prevention Helpline through the following:
Telephone: 223-0818, 223-0009 and 223-0001
Mobile: 600-7896 or 623-4444
Email: guyagency@yahoo.com
Twitter: @guyanaagency
Whatsapp: 600-7896 or 623-4444
Facebook: Guyana Inter-agency Suicide Prevention Helpline
