CURBING SUICIDE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Dec 18, 2018 Editorial

The recent death of a Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden man and the brutal chopping of his spouse is just another alarming feature in Guyana. But as reported, the couple, identified as Malika Hale, a chef; and Alvin Bluncher, a farmer, was heard fighting in their home.
The death of the couple resulted from domestic violence. The conclusion is that they stabbed each other so severely that they killed each other.
Such deaths could have long-lasting effects on children and relatives who are left to mourn.
Deaths by domestic violence and suicide have been wreaking havoc on society for which there is no proper or rational justification.
Statistics shows that mostly women are victims of domestic violence. In the case of domestic violence, part of problem lies in the failure of men to recognize women as their equal partners and not their property.
Indeed, in days of yore women were considered property. And being property they knew their place. There was domestic violence but that was not even a consideration because men were allowed to beat their spouses.
It is estimated that about 30 percent of the murders in the country are domestic-violence related.
In the case of suicide, which has become a national epidemic, this has affected almost everyone in society, directly or indirectly. Suicide is not only about the loss of a life, it is a tragedy for relatives and friends who are left with the stigma because suicide stigmatizes a family. It has far reaching consequences for the nation as a whole.
It is a very serious social problem with Guyana being portrayed as having one of the highest suicide rates in the world per capita. While data on the suicide rate in the country varies, it is estimated that suicide accounts for about 25 percent of the murders in the country and is common among youths.
Guyana has experienced some serious problems over the years, but nothing could be worse than the loss of a young life by suicide or the murder of women by their spouses. They are eating away at the social fabric of society. This truth which is blurred, is a dose of reality for all to grapple with.
But as a nation, we must not cower, because deaths in these cases could be seen as an indictment of the government’s failure to address these issues or implement policies to curb them. Public conversations and awareness could help to stimulate action to curb them.
Yet for all its efforts a government cannot eradicate suicide.
Guyana recognizes its shortcomings. The result is that it is seeking to expand the ranks of the psychiatrists and the psychiatric nurses.
With a shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists and trained social workers in the country and without a fully operational crisis hotline, there are very few, if any options for those contemplating suicide or seeking help for domestic violence.
While there is no one reason that can explain the shockingly high rate of suicides and domestic violence in the country, health workers have pointed to the poverty and illiteracy, the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse and rejection in a love affair, among others.
The situation is so troubling that Christians have called for divine intervention to curb these horrific murders.
Sabre rattling will not help. People, government, organizations, the media, the opposition and all other stakeholders must mobilize and act to save lives. The nation must not surrender or wonder who will be the next victim of suicide or domestic violence.

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