Changing the narrative on suicide

World Suicide Prevention Day this year found Guyana not only reflecting on the weight of a national tragedy but also demonstrating a proactive and coordinated response that deserves both recognition and scrutiny. Suicide remains one of the country’s most painful public health challenges, yet the measures being pursued across schools, health institutions, and communities suggest that a cultural and institutional shift is underway, one that seeks to transform silence and stigma into dialogue, support, and resilience.
The theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide – Start the Conversation”, is not a mere slogan. It is a call to action that has already taken tangible form in schools, communities, and health facilities nationwide. Students across the country stood in unity, donning yellow to symbolise hope, creating posters that spoke to strength and compassion, and holding moments of silence to honour those lost. These simple but profound acts reflected a shift in how society is beginning to confront an issue long shrouded in silence.
The expansion of school-based counselling to 97 of the nation’s 117 secondary schools is a critical intervention. For too long, young people have faced emotional and psychological struggles in isolation, fearing judgement or reprisal. Confidential counselling provides a safe avenue for students to seek support, process trauma, and learn coping mechanisms. This is more than just an educational initiative; it is a safeguard for future generations. By strengthening trust and promoting openness, the Ministry of Education is fostering healthier students who are better prepared to navigate academic, social, and personal challenges.
Equally significant is the effort to integrate parents, teachers, and community stakeholders into this process. Suicide prevention cannot be confined to the walls of classrooms; it requires an ecosystem of support that spans families, neighbourhoods, and workplaces. Training teachers to identify early signs of distress, engaging parents in awareness campaigns, and building community networks of understanding all contribute to a collective safety net. In a society where stigma has long silenced voices of distress, such collaborative engagement is essential.
At the national level, the Ministry of Health has advanced structural reforms that may very well define a turning point in Guyana’s public health trajectory. The decriminalisation of attempted suicide through the Suicide Prevention Act of 2022 was a pivotal moment, shifting the national framework from punishment to compassion. No longer treated as a crime, suicide attempts are now approached as cries for help, worthy of intervention and care.
The introduction of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan (2024–2030) and the launch of the country’s first 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, 915, signal that Guyana is committed to institutionalising suicide prevention, not just observing it annually. Furthermore, the training of more than 750 gatekeepers across all 10 administrative regions ensures that help is available at the community level, where early detection and intervention can make the greatest difference.
Technology and data are also being strategically leveraged. Telemedicine sites and new health facilities have extended mental health services into rural and hinterland areas, breaking down geographical barriers to care. The launch of the National Suicide Surveillance System marks a significant step toward evidence-based policymaking, ensuring that interventions are informed by real-time data rather than anecdotal observations. Additionally, the creation of a mental health website and animated educational series represents innovative outreach designed to engage younger demographics, who are often at highest risk.
The impact of these combined efforts is reflected in the statistics. In 2024, Guyana recorded 40 deaths by suicide, compared to 100 the previous year – a reduction of approximately 60 per cent. This decline cannot be taken lightly in a country that has historically struggled with some of the highest suicide rates in the world. While every life lost remains a tragedy, the data suggests that national strategies are beginning to bear fruit.
International organisations, including PAHO/WHO, have acknowledged Guyana’s integrated approach as a model of progress. The blend of legislative reform, educational outreach, community engagement, and technological innovation is creating a framework that could offer lessons beyond the country’s borders. Yet, the success achieved so far must not lead to complacency. Suicide prevention requires sustained commitment, continuous investment, and vigilance against new challenges.
There remains work to be done in reducing stigma, ensuring equitable access to services, and expanding counselling support to every school. Rural and Indigenous communities, in particular, must be consistently prioritised, as limited resources and cultural barriers continue to pose challenges. Additionally, the voices of survivors, both those who have struggled with suicidal thoughts and those who have lost loved ones, must remain central in shaping future policies and programmes.
World Suicide Prevention Day serves as a reminder that each conversation, act of kindness, and intervention has the potential to save a life.