Reinforced anti-suicide drive, regular training for Police ranks

Parliamentary Committee recommends
– finds Region Two has highest suicide rate in country

By Jarryl Bryan

A 2017 visit to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) by the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services (PSCSS) has found shortfalls in how equipped authorities are, not only to deal with domestic violence cases, but also in their efforts to sensitise the public on issues such as suicide.
This is contained in the PSCSS’ Seventh Special Report, which was presented to the National Assembly last month.
The PSCSS said in that report that it had paid a visit to the Police station at Suddie, Region Two. There, it was met by officer-in-charge, Sergeant Moore. The PSCSS recorded that Region Two has the highest suicide rate in Guyana, but Sergeant Moore informed the delegation that while officers are trained in that area at the Police Training School, they rarely get calls on their hotline numbers.
“Commander Steven Mansell informed the committee that the Cop and Faith network was launched in 2011. He stated that every station has a list of Cop and Faith religious leaders (who) are active in the network, (but) at present, Christian leaders are the only names on the list. He posited that the system is working well,” the committee documented.
Issues regarding the ability of Police officers to handle cases of domestic violence were also raised. While the committee was informed that ranks are not specifically trained to deal with domestic violence, they were also told that officers are exposed to such cases during their initial training.
“During the interactions, the delegation enquired what occurs when women come to make domestic violence reports. Sgt Moore stated that there was no specific room for domestic violence victims. However, the Criminal Investigative Department or Operations Room was used to take that report. He further noted that there was no special unit to handle cases of domestic violence and child abuse. Nevertheless, the Anna Regina Police Station has such a unit,” the committee recorded.
In cases of sexual offence, it was related that officers at Anna Regina are trained specifically to deal with these issues. The committee reported that in the event of such cases, those officers are informed to take the report.

Recommendations
Besides making recommendation for the Police to request new furniture, including chairs and a desk for their enquiry area, the committee urged that the region aggressively raise its suicide awareness campaign.
“Billboards depicting suicide should be created and erected around the region, and the hotline number placed on the television,” the committee advised. “The station should have monthly community meetings to sensitise the public of the law, and where victims could go to report cases of suicide, sexual offences, domestic violence, and occupational health and safety (issues).”
According to the PSCSS, “There should be continuous training for officers in areas of suicide, domestic violence, and road safety. Police officers should coordinate with the religious community to have a representative on the list of Cop and Faith.”
According to data from Suddie Public Hospital, for the period January to November 2017, there have been 38 attempted suicide cases there, with 8 recorded deaths.
The Guyana Foundation under the Sunrise Centre, along with the Caribbean Voice, conducted several programmes along the Essequibo Coast to assist persons suffering from mental health issues. The Sunrise Centre is also open to those seeking counselling.
Besides the Sunrise Centre, there is the Guyana Interagency Suicide Prevention Help Line. It can be reached on telephone numbers (+592) 223-0001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444, Email: [email protected], BBM PINS: 2BE55649, 2BE56020 Twitter: guyanaagency; WhatsApp: +592-600-7896, 592- 623-4444.