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.

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