Latest update April 18th, 2025 8:12 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Public Health Ministry appeals for cautious reporting on suicide

Jan 21, 2016 News

–   says reckless coverage contributes to copycat cases
Officials from the Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health are urging members of the media to desist from sensationalising the issue of suicide.
National Mental Health Services Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Health, Ms. Leslyn Holder stressed that while officials are not urging the media to lessen its reports on suicide, they are asking that they be cautious, considerate and humane.
“It is very important to consider what is reported. We have to report things, but what is the operative word. There is absolutely no need to include details such as names, addresses, means, photographs of the victims and particularly, no plans,” Ms. Holder stressed.
The coordinator also stressed that if a certain method was used by a person to commit the act the media should desist from providing any details of the plans, and instead, provide only the basic information.
“There are certain things to consider which contribute to copycat cases and these can also affect the survivors. We have to be careful and considerate to the family, the loved ones and even the community in which it may happen,”Ms. Holder added.
While acknowledging the five W’s and H (who, what, why, where, when and how) which form the basis of a news story, the Coordinator said that the media should place more emphasis on educating the populace.
“You can talk about how persons can seek help, reducing means; you can do so much as the media in educating people. Instead of capitalizing on the victim and the family, capitalize on education; capitalize on what is positive and what would impact positively on the nation,” she urged.
Head of Psychiatry at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Bhiro Harry, also stressed the important role the media plays in reducing the incidence of suicide in Guyana.
Additionally, Dr. Harry is assuring the public that the Unit continues to train health care providers at the different levels to offer assistance. There are trained persons in most, if not all of the health facilities in Guyana. And mental health services are available at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, in New Amsterdam, as well as satellite clinics in Parika, Linden and Suddie.
Officials from the Mental Health Unit are working towards extending those services this year to Diamond, Leonora, Mahaicony, Bartica and even as far as Baramita in Region One (Barima-Waini).
Dr. Harry urged Guyanese who may have suicidal thoughts to seek help, whether it is from their peers, teachers, religious leaders, youth leaders, at health centres or at the community level.
He noted that tackling the issue of suicide requires a multi-sectoral approach as well as support of Non-Governmental Organisations, and assured that they are willing to collaborate with anyone who is willing to play a role.
Psychologist and Addiction Specialist attached to the Ministry of Public Health, Ms. Caitlin Vieira, said that the media needs to focus more on publishing the toll-free numbers of the 24-hour suicide prevention help lines. Those numbers are 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444 and 600-7896, and persons can also request to be called as well as texted from the aforementioned cell phone numbers.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

 

 

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Milo/Massy U-18 Football semifinals postponed due to inclement weather

Milo/Massy U-18 Football semifinals postponed due to inclement

Apr 18, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- As previously scheduled, the highly anticipated semifinal matchups in the 11th edition of the Milo/Massy Secondary Schools Under-18 Football Championship have been postponed due to...
Read More
Fruta Conqueror-GDF FC to headline Sunday’s Elite League showdown

Fruta Conqueror-GDF FC to headline Sunday’s...

Apr 18, 2025

Affiance surge to 51-run win in NECC/Samaroo Investment T20

Affiance surge to 51-run win in NECC/Samaroo...

Apr 18, 2025

Savory named skipper of Guyana Rainforest Rangers

Savory named skipper of Guyana Rainforest Rangers

Apr 18, 2025

Jamaica ease to 7-wicket win over Guyana in low-scoring affair 

Jamaica ease to 7-wicket win over Guyana in...

Apr 18, 2025

Essequibo Legends record victory in ESCL T20 competition

Essequibo Legends record victory in ESCL T20...

Apr 18, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • A Different Silence

    Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Good Friday in Guyana is not what it used to be. The day has lost its hush. There was a... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]