Under the theme “Working together to prevent suicide, Guyana is joining the rest of the world today to observe World Suicide Day. World Suicide Day is observed annually on September 10.
According to National Mental Health Director, Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas, suicide should not be kept under wraps but must be frontally addressed by all. In this regard the Public Health Ministry, through the Mental Health Unit headed by Dr. Richmond-Thomas, is working to solicit the support of the entire populace through a march and concert today intended to amplify what measures can be taken to address suicide, which to many people, is viewed as a taboo issue. The March will commence at 13:00 today outside the Quamina Street, Georgetown office of the Mental Health Unit and end at the National Cultural Centre where the Concert will be held.
But according to the Mental Health Director, persons need to not only speak out against suicide but engage all efforts to ensure that their loved ones suffering from challenges such as depression receive needed care and attention. Depression, she revealed, often contributes to suicide ideation. “The two are intertwined,” she explained.
But according to the Director, once treatment is made available to such persons, depression is curable which by extension means that suicidal ideation can essentially be cured. “Once a person gets treatment and makes use of their treatment, he or she will gradually become better. They can have a better life and realise that suicide is not the answer to their problems,” said Dr. Richmond-Thomas.
If an individual believes that he or she may be suffering from depression or any other form of mental illness, the Ministry has set on motion a programme to tackle these. This Dr. Richmond-Thomas said can see persons being able to access treatment at the community level at the various health centres or regional hospitals. However, advanced levels of care at be accessed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Currently there are levels of health workers providing mental health care ranging from Psychiatrists and psychologists to socials workers and nurses. More nurses are being identified for such training to expand the Ministry’s mental health agenda, Dr. Richmond-Thomas explained. With moves in this direction, she assured that the aim is to eventually make Guyana a country where no one sees suicide as an option.
