Suicide can no longer be considered a once in a while problem on the Essequibo Coast as Essequibians are increasingly taking their own lives.
Records from the Suddie Hospital indicate that some 82 persons took their lives in 2013.
Importantly, the recent trend has gained the attention of public officials, residents and the parents of the victims.
People Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Region Two Councillor Shanta Springer, who heads the Record Medical Statistic Department at the Suddie Hospital, said she is appalled by the number of suicide cases on the Essequibo Coast.
Springer said most of the victims consumed poisonous substances but others also drank kerosene and overdosed themselves on tablets.
Based on media reports, the majority of the victims appear to be East Indians, with domestic violence being the main reason. Persons with chronic diseases were also among the victims.
Problem
Springer, who is also an active Women Progressive Organisation (WPO) member, said the problem can be halted through effective counselling, and this service is available at the House of Justice at Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast.
She said volunteers are readily available to offer free counselling to all in need, and is urging affected persons to make full use of the facility.
The regional councillor is also urging victims of domestic violence to seek help and report the matter to the police, and not to drop their cases against their abusers when it reaches the court.
Victims
The records indicate that the victims range from age 13 to 50 and involve both males and females, but the majority are females.
Thus far in the year, there has been one suicide attempt on the Essequibo Coast. Rico Persaud, 17, tried to kill himself after he was shunned by a girl he likes.
On Sunday, Leo Rodriquez, 28, who killed his 16-year-old girlfriend, travelled up to the Essequibo Coast to take his own life.
He was found dead at his mother’s residence, hanging from a tree in the backyard, after killing his teen lover and dumping her body in a trench at Kuru Kururu, along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, not far from her home.
