New suicide deterrence measures…Learning institution to launch counselor-on-demand access, website programme

Mar 16, 2014 News

By Zena Henry
Before this month is over, the American University of Research will be one step closer to improving how they render assistance to persons with suicidal tendencies. The institution is putting in place two technologically-charged programmes that would see persons being able to access advice, assistance and counseling at their finger tips.

Dr. Eton Simon

By month end, they will be able to access counselors from their cell phones, while a website called “Your story, my story” will soon be launched to tackle what many view as a growing suicide trend in the country.
Over the years, the Ministry of Human Services, civil and private organizations have reported and commented on the negative trends that prevail, while the prevalence of the act does not seem to be letting up. America-based President of the educational institution, Dr. Eton Simon believes that while enough is not being done to aid persons with suicidal tendencies, the approach or methods of aid, are inadequate or possibly overworked.
Dr. Simon, a psychologist by profession, believes that suicide is a matter of brain function; which is caused by the lack of “mental processing”. Also a researcher, he delves into to finding root causes of social problems, with an aim of finding measures to deal with them. In terms of suicide, there are several factors that can affect a person and “trigger” their undesirable behaviour.
Dr. Simon says that the type of assistance these persons receive is very important, especially for suppressing their tendencies. He thus lauded new approaches, using technology. He indicated that suicides are, and in some causes becoming a stigma, yet it is becoming a norm; where someone taking their own life no longer seems strange or a need for concern.
Therefore, persons are thinking twice about going to a counselor, about expressing their problems and thus limiting themselves to get the necessary help that they require. Many persons, the doctor explained, are no longer going to see their counselors for fear of what society may think, or for fear that their problem might “get out there”.
Additionally, while suicide statistics often show high numbers among the younger population, Dr. Simon believes that the gap between the older and younger generations is contributing to the failures in aiding suicidal teens.
“Technology has provided a tremendous transformation in the minds of young people, and older folks who are holding the old tradition of dealing with issues; creating a serious gap.”
For reasons such as these, the doctor pointed out, the university has sought to embark on these new grounds. The counselor-on-demand set-up, he explained, is a system in which the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) is involved. Persons needing any type of information or assistance involving suicide will be able to contact a certified counselor on their cell phone and get the necessary help.
“If one has a situation and you have a cell phone, you can punch in the information and there is a counselor ready to give the necessary help; an actual person,” he added.
Additionally, parents will be urged to utilize those counselors, Dr Simon said, in order to address the issues their children may have, especially if it is a matter that the parent alone is not equipped to handle.
The website, “your story, my story” will be designed for persons thinking of suicide or who have attempted suicide.
“This is a central website that will be accessible to the whole world.”
He related that it will specifically highlight the testimonials of persons who attempted suicides, the families of suicide victims; how they deal with their problems and their story on how exactly they were affected.

Some of the researchers who visited the Essequibo Coast.

Dr. Simon believes that persons will learn from those testimonials and the aim is to get them thinking before they make attempts. What was found, the doctor said, is that many suicide acts are committed on impulse.
“There is the lack of mental processing. Suicidal acts are triggered. While someone may have something, an event; occurrences bottled up in them, something can happen and just like that that person is triggered. A man killing his wife; someone drinking poison, are all reactive behaviours. It is hoped, therefore, that these new measures will further help what is already in place.”
On another note, Dr. Simon believes that leaders should revisit legislation against acts of suicide. As it stands, attempting suicide is against the law and carries a penalty of imprisonment. In 2009, the police force had made public statements to intensify the number of suicide prosecutions when it was noticed that numbers were growing significantly in this area.
Dr. Simon is adamant that we are “going down the wrong road with this idea”, since suicide is a clear sign of a mental imbalance or that something is seriously wrong. “Imprisonment or prosecution is not a remedy,” he emphasised.
“For someone to go off the beam suddenly is because of a trigger, which would mean the underlying issue has been there all along. If we don’t look at that then we are just doing a top-up, and then we top-up on the surface and the person goes down the road. Some other trigger the person receives, and off goes the beam again. There will be constant behaviour patterns if we do not look at the root cause.”
Dr. Simon believes that legislation should have nothing to do with someone taking his or her own life.
“I think this issue should be left to the professionals; mental health workers. Their (law enforcers) whole thing is that we are going to punish you, not realizing that these people are already punishing and turning to suicide for relief.”
“The punishing concept is not working; they have been using this systematic approach to dealing with issues for as long as we know and we have all endured.”
The American University of Research just completed a suicide research project on the Essequibo Coast and found that at least 120 persons attempted suicide last year – 16 died as a result. Essequibians believe that enough is not being done and ranked domestic issues as being the main cause of the act, with teen problems following close behind.
The exercise has promoted the University to visit many other communities to engage in “critical” information-gathering for a reformed approach to suicide.