As Guyana prepares to observe National Suicide Prevention Week, Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy is reporting a reduction in the local figures for suicide victims. Speaking at a candlelight vigil organised to initiate the week of activities, the minister expressed optimism that Guyana could win the fight against the daunting scourge. “Whilst we may never end suicide, we can reduce it significantly; because, for the first time in 30 years, we are seeing signs of downward trajectory. I believe, therefore, if we commit ourselves, that each one of us will make a difference in our country…” Ramsammy expressed while addressing those gathered in the avenue on Main Street in front of the furniture giant Courts. According to the minister, in the last three years the average number of suicides annually has reduced from about 200 deaths to about 160. Region Six has the highest number of suicide attempts as well as actual deaths, with an annual figure of about 48 deaths. But there is good news, given the reported statistics for the first half of the year. “At the rate of 12 in the first six months, it confirms that the numbers are now approaching a trajectory of a downward trend,” Dr Ramsammy posited.
Guyanese, including Health officials, participate in a candlelight vigil organised to observe National Suicide Prevention Week
Up to the end of June, there were 241 attempted suicides, with only 12 successful incidents. Dr Ramsammy believes that real reduction will be seen years after preventative measures are implemented, as is currently the case since enhanced government actions were started some 10 years ago. He explained that this is because of the complexity of the problem.
The health minister is calling on all Guyanese to join forces with the ministry, as it aggressively fights the social problem that affects too many citizens. In Guyana, there are between 800 and 1000 attempted suicides every year, but Dr Ramsammy explained that the real figure may be higher, since many are not reported.
“Suicide remains a very stigmatised problem, and families are traumatised but don’t like to talk about it. We have to ensure, as we hold these candles up tonight, that we will work with our sisters and brothers and ensure that every citizen knows that whilst they have problems that may seem overwhelming, there is help,” he urged participants.
Gatekeepers programme
Through its programmes, Guyana has been able to put a dent in the problem, Dr Ramsammy boasted.
There is a hotline service that gets about 10 calls per day. This is complemented by the “gatekeepers” programme, which was piloted in Region Six, and which the ministry intends to take countrywide.
“Guyana is providing a pioneering leadership role in that we are taking gatekeepers training into every community, where our ambition is that every citizen, no matter how young or how old, and no matter their status in the community, must become gatekeepers,” Ramsammy revealed.
Gatekeepers are trained to recognise the signs and signals in a person’s life that make that person vulnerable or place them at risk of taking their life. The health minister also stated that nurses and doctors are being trained to deal with the psychological aspects of suicide.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to understand the reasons why a person would attempt suicide, the Health Ministry is undertaking the “follow back study”, which is a retrace on a person’s life to find out the emotional scars driving a person to end his or her life.
In addition, health authorities have recognised the significant role alcohol plays in nurturing suicide, and have undertaken a prevention programme, which will be rolled out nationwide.
Guyana has made this scourge a public health threat, and has been treating it as such. “Whilst it is a public health problem, it cannot be resolved and cannot be solved simply by public health personnel; it must be an effort that we all make, a multi-sectoral approach,” the minister, declared.
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