MoH reaffirms commitment to comprehensive strategy for suicide prevention

Despite the “significant” decline in the number of deaths caused by suicide in 2024, the Health Ministry has recommitted to a holistic approach to suicide prevention.
On Tuesday, during the observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Ministry disclosed that its approach will “encapsulates a whole–of–government and whole–of–society approach to promoting mental well-being and providing support”
While specific plans were not disclosed on how the Government aims to achieve this, it was noted that the initiative is being spearheaded with an image of unity, aimed at building a healthier and more resilient Guyana.
In an issued release, it stated, “Prevention is about understanding that suicide is preventable and breaking the stigma is achievable by encouraging openness, understanding and support”.
This year, World Suicide Prevention Day was observed under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action “Start the Conversation”.
Guyana joined the international community to commemorate this annual day of observances, urging the general public to reflect on the lives lost this year.
In 2024, the country recorded 40 cases of death by suicide during the period January to August. In 2023, the Health Ministry had recorded 100 deaths by suicide across the country.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021 100,933 people died by suicide in the Regions of the Americas of which 79.4 per cent of suicide deaths in the Region occurred among males in 2019.
However, suicides in women showed a sharper increase than male suicides between 2000 and 2019. Further, statistics indicated that middle-aged adults (40–69 years of age) make up the greatest proportion of 38.0 per cent of suicides in the Region, followed by older-aged adults.

Interventions
Recognising the need to address mental health challenges and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide, the Ministry of Health of Guyana in collaboration with the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF), with the support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), completed the Gatekeepers Training for Suicide Prevention Programme.
This initiative trained 800 community figures, called Gatekeepers, across all 10 regions of Guyana, who possess basic essential skills and knowledge to intervene in suicidal situations, working in conjunction with the Regional Health Authorities, for referral to specialist mental health services as required.
Moreover, in April this year, the Government launched the National Mental Health Action Plan & Suicide Prevention Plan 2024 – 2030, which adopts a human rights approach to addressing mental health and suicide, thus improving the treatment of patients suffering from these conditions.
Additionally, under the Plan, the Ministry of Health and Agriculture is collaborating to develop safe storage of pesticides by vendors as well as end users, achieve the phasing out of the most hazardous pesticides, along with the introduction of low-risk alternatives.