Suicide helpline should be aggressively promoted

Dear Editor,
Recently in a Trinidad & Tobago newspaper reference was made to a Guyana government suicide hotline that failed. Whether or not that is so, the fact remains that the suicide helpline is not doing what it was established to do and that it has reached a stage whereby far too many people refuse to use it. The Caribbean Voice (TCV) knows this because often when we tell those seeking our help that we would refer them to the helpline, they reject that option and even sometimes indicate they prefer not to be counseled. Thus, we repeat our appeal that stats regarding the helpline be published, the helpline be aggressively promoted including by harnessing the media and private sector billboards and electronic advertising, as well as social media, NGOs, religious and educational institutions and so on. There is a critical need to build both confidence and trust in the helpline and keeping its work in secrecy is not the way to do so.
As well, those responding to calls to the helpline should be trained in emphatic communication since the right language and tone make a critical difference in dealing with those who are depressed, anxious or suicidal. And those to whom callers are referred must not be religious personnel but actual counselors, who possess the requisite tools and skill sets on the and would not be alienating. In Jamaica, masters level students are trained as helpline counselors and supervised by an experienced counseling psychologist, At the minimum holders of first degrees in psychology can be used in Guyana and then assisted to get their masters. As well perhaps clinically trained counselors across Guyana can be networked as part of the referral system so that face to face counseling can also be done, when/if necessary. We also urge that all NGOs involved in suicide prevention be networked by the Ministry of Health and facilitated in their activism and advocacy, as this is the only way in which suicide prevention can reach every nook and cranny.
Meanwhile, we await a speedy focus on decriminalizing suicide which has been promised over and over by various governments and which the International Society for Suicide Prevention has placed on the front burner as of critical urgency. Also, we applaud the move to legislate a suicide prevention bill, the draft of which was recently tabled in parliament.
While TCV, having seen the draft, believes that this bill does not go far enough, it’s a start that will, in time, hopefully be enhanced and strengthened, taking in consideration latest developments, advancements and suicide prevention tools and information. And we appeal for a mechanism to help all survivors/families of suicide with counseling rather than selective assistance as has been the practice over the years; in fact, any service offered should be across the board rather than ad hoc and selective.

Sincerely,
Annan Boodram