Minister Norton named patron of TCV’s anti-suicide/anti-violence campaign

Aug 11, 2018 News

Come Sunday September 9, The Caribbean Voice [TCV] will be spearheading its third annual anti-suicide vigil in commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day 2018 which is observed annually on September 10 globally.
World Suicide Prevention Day is a day designated by the United Nations to focus on creating more awareness for the serious issue of suicide.
Efforts to commemorate the day are moreover geared at helping people to recognise suicide warning signs and ensure that persons are aware of where help is available, and where necessary, engage suicide first aid [tactics to help dissuade an individual from suicide].
Speaking of plans for the event, which is expected to attract scores of people across Guyana, TCV’s National Coordinating Director, Mr. Nazim S. Hussain, said that the vigil this year will also include suicide. This move he views as tactical, since the cases of suicide are being compounded by other acts of violence. Hussain was at the time making reference to daunting cases of domestic violence which end in murder/suicide.
In addition to reaching out to a number of organisations to support its anti-suicide/anti-violence vigil, TCV has also been able to gain government’s support through the Ministry of Social Cohesion to conduct a month-long campaign ahead of the vigil.
In this regard, TCV has named Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, its patron for the campaign.
Minister Norton’s role in the vigil was announced yesterday during a press conference at the Woolford Avenue, Georgetown Racquet Centre.
According to Minister Norton, he has recognised that addressing the challenge requires the support of a wide cross-section of the population. He moreover voiced an appeal for “Guyanese to get on board with this initiative. As a people it is important for us to unite against all forms of social ills, and I believe that observing this vigil will be a great start.”
“We want you to not only observe the vigil, but to join forces with The Caribbean Voice and other bodies that are working towards ending suicide and violence altogether,” said Minister Norton, as he made reference to “a damning report somewhere in 2013 by the World Health Organisation of the rate of suicide in Guyana.”
“It was immensely troubling and we needed immediate remedies,” said Minister Norton as he recalled how in 2015 Guyana was one of the few countries that moved aggressively to develop a Suicide Prevention Plan.
“I am happy today to state that Guyana’s suicide rate has dropped significantly, and I know for a fact, one little village was noted for having one suicide every six weeks, I can safely say for the longest while that has not been the case.”
Minister Norton said, too, that while some have sought to quote the drop by a particular percent, moves are apace within the Public Health Ministry to produce an official report on the current state of affairs. But the marked reduction in suicide was not limited to the work of the Ministry, since according to the Minister, “efforts of persons and groups across the country are making a difference and we should not stop. I encourage more persons to join in the fight against suicide and violence, let us all unite for a good cause.” Also lending support to the TCV in its anti-suicide/anti-violence campaign is Miss World Guyana, Miss Ambika Ramraj. Miss Ramraj has in fact been designated the official spokesperson for TCV.
Speaking of the need for continued support, Hussain said “It is vital that we get our message across about suicide awareness and violence awareness.”
With confirmed support from organisations the likes of the Women’s Progressive Organisation, the Dharmic Sabha, the Charity Church of Christ, the Seventh Day’s Adventist Church nationwide and other organisations, including youth groups and youths in influential positions, the vigil is expected to realise successful outcomes.
Participating in the planned vigil, Hussain said, is as simple as individuals gathering in groups at dusk across Guyana to light-up their cell phones as they denounce suicide and other forms of violence in the society. Also present at yesterday’s forum was TCV’s Training and Education Director, Ms. Leslyn Holder, who also shared about the work of TCV that have been making an impact countrywide.

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Minister Norton named patron of TCV’s anti-suicide/anti-violence campaign

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