Calls for involvement of all stakeholders and collaborative approaches to dealing with social and mental health issues, including suicide, have been made by President Granger, many of his cabinet members and many other government officials. In fact, this call was even made at The Caribbean Voice‘s (TCV’s) National Stakeholders Conference on Suicide and Related Issues last August at Cara Hotel in Georgetown and has been repeated since then by TCV and other stakeholders.
Additionally, renewed calls are being made for a community-based approach to dealing with these issues. Yet nothing concrete has been done to date from officialdom in terms of action to bring collaboration and a community based approach on stream. So awaiting action, The Caribbean Voice urges that using piggybacking as a mechanism that provides requisite training and build a community based approach be used; especially given that scope for this has been in existence and does exist.
Recently the media published an article revealing that 4000 youths and adolescents are expected to benefit from a four-year Community Crime and Violence Prevention programme as the first component of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) of the Ministry of Public Security. He noted that young people in ‘at risk’ communities will benefit from several training initiatives meant to improve their skill level and livelihood, with the aim of reducing crime and violence in their communities. A major part of the project will focus on empowering young people through technical and vocational training to develop entrepreneurial skills. How about also including training as gatekeepers so these young people can be armed as first responders for the campaign against suicide, alcoholism, sex crime and abuse, all of which are also forms of violence? And how about including training modules on self-esteem, self-worth and coping skills, so that these young people will be better equipped to deal with stresses and challenges? In fact, some, if not all of these young people can turnkey their training in various communities and foster the ‘each one teach one’ approach to get communities involved in anti-violence overall.
As part of the mandate of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, a Diversity Education and Inclusion Workshop Training of Trainers workshop was launched recently, where 15 persons will be trained as part of a core team, which will then train over 700 citizens to become social cohesion advocates. Again, why not also include training as gatekeepers and in self-esteem, self-worth and coping skills?
The media also recently reported that some 98 youths and 19 facilitators from six villages in Region 10, who are participating in the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme, received their monthly stipends. The programme provides opportunities for the young people to be able to learn several skills, which will have long-term financial benefits. Here again, perhaps training modules on self-esteem, self-worth and coping skills, along with basic gatekeeper’s training can make this programme much more relevant, while ensuring that those trained are much better able to face the challenges ahead, as well as become torch bearers in the campaign against suicide prevention and violence on the whole at the community level.
Many other examples abound. But perhaps the most significant measure comes out of the World Health Organisation, which has strongly recommended integrating mental health care into the current physical health care system, especially for small economies like Guyana. This coupled with placement of clinical psychologist in every public hospital and setting up visiting schedule for such psychologists for every health centre nationwide would lead to mental health care being decentralized and accessible nationally. In time, each public hospital could also be equipped with a mental health department where patients can be kept for prolonged periods as they undergo treatment.
The bottom line is that piggybacking is not only economically feasible, but provides scope to extend mental health care nationwide, tackle the various social ills such as suicide, domestic violence and child abuse and ensure that lives are saved and the nation’s greatest asset – all its people – are in a position to maximally contribute to national development instead of significant segments of the population becoming a drain on the economy as a result of the current prevalence of social ills and mental health issues that overwhelm existing capacities and resources.
It is this national, collaborative, multi-layered approach that catalysed the launch of Voices Against Violence in September by The Caribbean Voice, Save Abee Foundation and almost 40 other stakeholders. In September, over 300 candle light vigils were held in communities across Guyana to mark World Suicide Prevention day. This month, October, saw the message of prayers for peace and non-violence being held by tens of thousands of Guyanese both in Guyana and abroad. November will bring a focus on domestic violence and Voice Against Violence is gearing up to take the message and attend activities across Guyana. We urge other stakeholders, especially the media, the business community and governmental agencies and departments to come on board so Voices Against Violence, which has a monthly focus, can become a viable tool to tackle violence and mental health issues. Please contact The Caribbean Voice at [email protected] or long on to http://www.caribvoice.org/voices-against-violence.html.
