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IAC prepares for symposium to address suicide trend
In light of the high suicide rate in the country, the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) is looking to host a national symposium to tackle the growing issue.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at the Guyana National Library, Executive Member of the committee, Neaz Subhan said that the convention will be spearheaded by both local and international professionals, namely Counselors and Psychologists.
While a date for the forum has not yet been set, Subhan noted that it will get underway sometime around May 5, as the country observe 176 years of Indians’ Arrival to Guyana.
IAC’s Executive Member, Neaz Subhan
Subhan noted that for a while now, the IAC has been concerned over the high incidence of suicide and attempted suicides that continue “seemingly unabated” in various parts of the country, especially rural areas like Berbice and Essequibo.
According to the IAC Executive, the local suicide rate has attracted attention beyond our borders and resulted in a major international television news network like ABC and BBC producing stories highlighting this distressing trend not too long ago.
“The IAC believes that this warrants interventions of a national magnitude, and had previously called on the authorities to declare the current situation of suicide a national priority,” Subhan said.
He added that the members of the Indian Arrival Committee believe that “the lingering consequences brought to bear on surviving family members, especially when children are affected and the circumstances which may be reasons for someone taking his or her life, must be identified and addressed.”
Subhan said that it is in this regard that the IAC would be hosting the aforementioned symposium, which will see the participation of the experts along with other national stakeholders.
Subhan said that the forum is not being held only with the aim of heightening awareness, but to also explore interventions, which will hopefully mitigate the circumstances that can, and usually lead to suicide.
Earlier this week, Kaieteur News published an article, which explained that in Essequibo, domestic issues and peer pressure were listed as the leading causes for suicide.
In order to arrive at this conclusion, a suicide research was conducted on the Essequibo Coast sometime last month. This initiative was funded by the American University of Research.
It was explained that a survey done highlighted the thoughts of Essequibians as it relates to the growing trend of suicide.
According to the article, Essequibians believe that the most prevalent reasons for suicide in that county are those surrounding issues with one’s partner, peer pressure, and bullying.
In addition to these, residents of Region Two also believe that violence, domestic disputes, and general frustration are the second most prominent causes of suicidal acts.
This newspaper understands that suicide statistics compiled by the Suddie Hospital shows that exactly 117 persons attempted suicide in 2013. Of those, 16 were successful in taking their own lives. It was also cited that in the Essequibo communities parent and child conflict, along with depression also play major roles in causing persons to act out negatively towards their social issues.
The information was gathered and provided by eight psychology students from the American University of Research, the institution’s President Dr. Eton Simeon, Leila Ramson of the Teaching Services Commission along with Zairol Neisha of the Guyana Counseling Association, and psychologists and counselors.
These were all able to ascertain at the end of their research that the root cause for suicidal behaviours is the “lack of mental processing.
It was also noted that the majority of Essequibians believe that enough is not being done to address issues of suicide.
In addition, it was also recorded in January that the suicide rate in Berbice was continuing to rise. While a comprehensive report for the country was not provided, this newspaper understands that last year, the New Amsterdam Hospital alone recorded 114 cases of attempted suicide. Of this figure, 62 were females and 52 males. Ten of those who attempted suicide during that time died.
In light of all the lives lost, IAC’s Neaz Subhan said that the Committee hopes that the National Symposium of Suicide would be supported by all.
“…including the media, since we believe a combined effort through various mechanisms can help.”
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