8/13/2019 Suicide is Our Problem Not Just the Problem of Others

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Suicide is our problem not just the problem of others

Stabroek NewsFebruary 22, 2014

Dear Editor,

We have previously proposed principles justifying Unity and Human Development (UHD) ina paper that can be downloaded athttp://bit.ly/18odYmG. Our concern for humandevelopment in Guyana, and the tragic death of thirteen-year old Mr Sawraj Camal Persaudmove us to add to calls for vigourous action to combat the wave of suicide swamping ourcountry. The topmost results of a Google search show results for suicide and suicide rates inGuyana since 2010. World Health Organisation figures from 2011 showed that we have thefourth highest suicide rate on earth. There is obviously nothing good about that. Here is anexcerpt from an editorial in Stabroek News on September 27, 2007: Pan American Health

Organisation statistics indicate the Guyanas suicide deaths more than doubled from 12.4 per100,000 in 1990 to 26.8 in 2001. During the same period by comparison, Trinidad andTobagos rate actually fell from 13.7 to 12.8 per 100,000.

Several questions arise. What combination of circumstances and emotional pain moves athirteen-year old boy to take his own life? Were his family and friends totally unaware ofsigns of pending disaster? If they were aware, did they simply not know how to help? Whathas been done in the last four years to reduce suicide rates in our country? How much morewill suicides add to emigration to hinder national development? What will be the long termeffects on the development of our human resources if the current trend of suicidescontinues? If the prevalence is among youths, what effect will it have on generations tocome? If the prevalence expands among working adults, what are likely to be the effects onGuyanese family structures?

Regarding government efforts, we acknowledge the Gate Keepers programme set up whileDr Leslie Ramsammy was Minister of Health. Even so, we strongly urge governmentincluding current Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Chief Medical Officer, DrShamdeo Persaudto intensify their fight against suicide strenuously, and to work to expandthe involvement of civil society, religious organisations, and international assistance toreinforce government efforts. We understand that successful suicide is seldom the result ofan instantaneous decision.

Suicides more usually follow long periods of intense distress and helplessness. If one feelssuicidal in Guyana, upon whom does one rely? Trusted relatives and friends? Non-

judgmental religious figures? Do they have the emotional tools to help sufficiently? Caneasily accessible suicide hot lines and counselling centres be established with theinvolvement 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 shouldalso be actively involved in combating suicide. Schools play an integral role because they arethe primary contact with children outside of the home. It is at school that our childrensocialise, so teachers should be trained to recognize danger signs. The relevant government

ministries should work together to provide properly qualified counsellors at every school towork with children during and after school hours.

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8/13/2019 Suicide is Our Problem Not Just the Problem of Others

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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 disciplinarianrather than being a caring resource for children to open up to and confide inchildrenvisiting 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 mentallyhealthy colleagues, causing lost earnings of US$193 billion. The figures for Guyana willobviously 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 locationthe easier it becomes for us and ours tobelieve that suicide is an easy solution to seemingly inescapable worries that nearly all of usmeet in life from time to time. Suicide is our problem, not just theirs. Victims of suicidelike those of wife-beating, diabetes, and HIV-AIDSdeserve our help: they are people too,

and do not deserve to become negative role models for any of us who have ever beendepressed or bedevilled.

Yours faithfully,

Sandra ShivdatMark DaCostaTerrence Simon

Hubert WongTarron Khemraj

(http://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/opinion/letters/02/22/suicide-problem-just-problem-others/)

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