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GONE TOO SOON!
The suicidal death of 16-year-old Marissa Singh, a high school student of East Canje has shocked the people of Berbice. It has left relatives and friends in grief. It is one suicidal death too many for our small nation. Marissa has gone too soon.
As reported by relatives, Marissa was depressed since her mother’s death two years ago and had attempted suicide last year. It appears that she did not receive any professional help. Did her relatives or the system fail her? Marissa’s death should be a wake-up call to the nation, especially the government, that all is not well.
Whenever someone, especially a young person like Marissa, commits suicide, the nation weeps. The after effects are extremely painful for relatives and friends. The tragedy is measured not only by the loss of a single precious life, but also by its awful and devastating impact on families, friends and society.
It creates havoc in the home and in the neighborhood. Sadly, Marissa’s death will take a heavy toll on relatives and friends who are left to mourn and to pick up the pieces.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Guyana among youths. It is deemed a public health problem. It is an epidemic; a mental illness with symptoms often mistakenly attributed to witchcraft. It hangs a dark shadow over the nation.
People commit suicide to escape a pained experience occasioned by hopelessness, poverty, depression, uncontrollable anger, incest and emotional and physical abuse.
Suicide is preventable. In most cases there are signs but they are often ignored by relatives. There are many different reasons why people commit suicide. They include alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, depression, deprivation, societal pressures, lack of education, domestic violence, poverty, easy access to deadly substances, shame and peer influence.
Suicide is also caused by tensions and pressures by in-laws to conform to certain ways due to extended families living together in overcrowded dwellings. Some who commit murder are likely to commit suicide rather than face trial in court.
Guyana reportedly has the highest suicide rate in the world with 44.2 suicides per 100,000 people while the global average is 16 per 100,000. It is estimated that between 18 and 24 percent of the adult population in Guyana suffer from a mental disorder. This translates to roughly 135,000 individuals who are in need of mental health services.
Mental health issues are very complex. People may be suffering from mental illness but they would not seek treatment because they are afraid of being stigmatized by the public. This is particularly true of men who may feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness because they are supposed to be macho. It is brave for anyone, male or female to seek help.
Mental health has become a taboo subject in society and is often associated with depression, bi-polar, anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. And although there are treatments available, they are viewed with suspicion.
The truth is the government cannot monitor the mental health condition of everyone. It should be done by family members and close friends. However, if the government is serious about preventing suicide, it should create a Suicide Prevention Department. This department would treat those with depression and dangerous impulses. It should be added to the crisis hotline and the wellness and counselling services the government has established for those contemplating suicide.
This would require the engagement of psychiatrists and other professionals and a social network as well as putting mechanisms in place to make sure there is easy access to treatment. It is very sad when someone takes one’s own life. Those required to fight this scourge must understand that those with suicidal tendencies prefer death to life.
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