Massy Group pledges support towards suicide prevention, mental health awareness

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, which is being observed today, the Massy Group which operates in Guyana has again pledged its support towards the prevention of suicide as well as bringing awareness to mental health, an issue which is sometimes overlooked.
For this year’s observance, the establishment has collaborated with the Mental Health Unit of the Public Health Ministry to undertake similar activities, including an annual suicide prevention walk in collaboration with Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS), debating competitions tackling suicide prevention and mental health, and the hosting of an impactful and strong production of a theatrical performance at the National Culture Centre.
Director of the Massy Group, Christpen Bobb-Semple noted that the company will continue to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders to get the message out that one life lost is one too many. He further indicated that the activities for the Group include ongoing social media posts with positive and uplifting messages – which also include phone numbers for lifelines that can be utilised. In a greater effort to sensitise Guyana’s population at large, the group will provide sponsorship for the mental health segment of a television programme, titled “Perspectives” which will be aired on Television Guyana (TVG)-Channel 28 every Tuesday at 14:00h for the next three months. This programme will explore the contributory factors such as depression, substance abuse, among others.
In addition to this, the company is also in discussions with the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana to lend support to a discussion forum targeting mental health on campus. This will be complemented with a play slated for October 10 – World Mental Health Day— an event which the company seeks to partner with Ministry of Education in order to have students’ attendance.
With this year’s theme being ‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide’, the Director has announced that plans for 2020 have also been discussed with Director of the Mental Health Unit, Dr Util Thomas, as the Massy Group is committed to play its part in reversing the numbers.
Guyana was previously labelled as one of the region’s most suicide-plagued countries, according to statistics over the past few years.
Clinical Psychologist attached to the Public Health Ministry, Balogun Osunbiyi earlier this year explained that the suicide death rates in Guyana stood at 44.2 per cent in 2012.
Over the years, this high percentage has decreased with 2016 figures standing at 29 per cent and in 2017, 24.67 per cent.
If you or someone you may know may be at risk for suicide, seek help by calling the lifelines: 226-1402, 226-1405, 226-1416.