Human Services Ministry has been involved in suicide prevention

Dear Editor,

In response to a letter headlined, “An open letter to the Human Services Minister”, which was published in the August 18 edition of Guyana Times, I wish to commend the writers on their proposed response to our growing problem of suicide, which is indeed a troubling one, and a concern which we share.

The Ministry has been involved in a number of initiatives aimed at addressing the issue of suicide prevention, and is not averse to extending its support to other initiatives aimed at achieving the same objectives.

It is heartening to see renewed interest in the prevention of this social ill that has plagued our society. The Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry has long recognised the need for partnerships and extended networks to advocate suicide prevention.

In February this year, the Ministry partnered with the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission, and several local entities, including the Ministries of Education and Health, the Regional Democratic Council, Region Six, and some private businesses to begin a new awareness and education project aimed at preventing suicide.

This event was well attended by leaders and members of faith-based organisations, with more than 300 students from secondary schools along the Corentyne Coast, and members of civil society in attendance.

They were enlightened by presentations made by a number of specialists including Psychiatrist, Dr Bhiro Harry, business leaders, and Dr Sharma of the Regional Health Authority.

The First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and I have also addressed this issue and we sought to identify some of the root causes, and how these issues should be addressed. Let me reassure the writers of Government’s commitment and growing concerns for this issue.

The presentations were followed by an interactive session and informative suggestions/presentations emerged which serve as guidance for continued work in this area. Many of the resource persons engaged at this forum have since continued the work in various areas.

Similarly, the Government of Guyana was engaged in an effort to train about 600 members of faith-based organisations to prevent and care for, counsel and support persons affected by social ills, including suicide.

I wish to mention that the Ministry also works closely in collaboration with a number of NGOs, and through its Probation Officers, a core group of professionals, who are assigned to the 10 administrative regions, have expanded its network to conduct public education and sensitisation awareness activities on this issue, as well as the issue of gender-based violence. Their interaction allows for all levels of contact, from the grassroots level to all levels in society.

With respect to the issues raised regarding attitudes towards mental health issues to combat the taboos, misinformation, biases, I wish to assure the writers that Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and the Health Ministry have developed a Mental Health Strategy which will be formally launched by October 10 in observance of World Mental Health Day.

The Health Ministry has also conducted training sessions in areas of depression and suicide for 250 persons with the support of an international psychologist, Dr Doorn.

We remain committed to supporting initiatives aimed at reducing this abhorrent trend in our society.

Sincerely,

Jenifer Webster

Human Services and Social Security Minister