September 10 is set aside to observe World Suicide Prevention Day annually. This year, the general theme is “Working together to prevent suicide”.
Social Worker at the Mental Health Unit, Alicia Solomon in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) said that emphasis is continuously placed on those affected by suicide. According to Solomon, family members are also counselled and referred for further interventions.
Social Worker attached to the Mental Health Unit, Alicia Solomon
“Suicide is not ending… it often creates a bigger challenge. The person thinks removing themselves is a solution; but what happens to the family members, the people they leave behind?” Solomon remarked.
The social worker emphasised that suicide not only involves the death of an individual but can affect families and communities negatively. She also pointed to the fact that there have been trends noted in many suicide cases – with mental health issues being one of the major factors. This condition, Solomon said, often results from constant substance abuse.
“People who use [illegal] substances build the courage to commit the act… very often it is a person who lacks coping skills. They may have relationship issues, or they might have problems with their job, and they have been trying other ways of dealing with it. But when nothing seems to work, they decide, maybe if I remove myself then this problem will end,” Solomon is quoted by DPI as saying,
Taking all this into consideration, the Mental Health Unit has organised activities for World Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness. The general population will be targetted to spread the message that there is help and support available for persons who need it.
Today, September 10, 2019, an awareness rally and concert is planned. There will be a walk from the Mental Health Unit to the National Cultural Centre from 13:00h, after which there will be a concert.
There will be live performances including skits and other cultural items such as song and dance, ministerial speeches, NGOs and other concerned stakeholders in the fight against suicide will also be present.
Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) will also host a programme starting at 06:30h with a walk from the Woodley Park Health Centre to the compound of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). This will be followed by a brief cultural programme and a blood drive and health fair.
