Helping those with suicidal tendencies

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor,
I hate the idea that we have poisonous chemicals ‘knocking about’ our homes. I know of people who ingested poison and died. They actually committed suicide by virtue of the fact the poison was available.
Outside of the home, it is the same too. Just about anyone can go and buy chemicals from pharmacies. Making matters worse is that prescription drugs are now obtained very underhandedly. So, even if the house is safe chemically, still potential suicidal victims can access their lethal doses unimpeded. Something has to be done to curb this carelessness that exists in the Guyanese society.
Right now, India is abuzz. The tragic incident in Bihar where 23 schoolchildren died after eating a school meal contaminated with monocrotophos is getting people’s attention.
There are talks about the need to speed up the withdrawal of highly hazardous pesticides from markets in developing countries. Let us say, at the level of government, some steps are taken along this line, I am wondering how much of a help that will be, especially where Guyana is concerned.
Suicide and suicidal behaviours usually occur in people who are not normal, many of them not being able to cope with life and through no fault of theirs. We may never be able to help many from this lot. However, when stressful life issues such as serious financial or relationship problems lead to suicides, we can help.
We need to find ways to help people who are likely to commit suicide, all because of a life situation that seems impossible to deal with.
Many who attempt suicide are seeking relief or escape from fixable things – feeling ashamed, guilty, or like a burden to others; feeling like a victim; or feeling a sense of rejection, loss, or loneliness. We can all help here by being supportive.
Yours respectfully,
Penelope McNeil

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