We must guard against the fueling of suicides due to social dislocation

Sep 11, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – World Suicide Prevention Day is celebrated every year on September 10 to raise awareness among our citizens. It is also a time for self-empowerment and for stakeholder collaboration and for governments to emerge low-cost strategies and interventions to combat this scourge that persists. The strategies that will succeed are those that are focused, evidence-based, and timely.

Serious attention should be paid to children and adolescents, veterans, health care workers, and other vulnerable groups which have been associated with greater risk of ideation, suicidal attempts, and even death. Suicide remains the third highest cause of death among young people ages 20 to 24 in the Americas. The highest suicide rate is seen among the 40 to 59 cohort which is followed by persons 70 years and older. Of recent, the age -adjusted years of life lost for both sexes is highest in Guyana and being equal 3,200 years per 100,000 population. This figure is followed by Suriname with 1772 years per 100,000, and Uruguay with 1462 years per 100,000 population respectively.

The frequent methods used to commit suicide include but are not limited to suffocation, firearms, poisoning with drugs and alcohol, and pesticides and chemicals. Suicide plays a pivotal role in adolescent and suicidal behaviors.

The Sustainable Development Goal, Target 3.4 aims to reduce one – third of premature deaths by 2030. Therefore, valiant efforts must be made by policy makers and stakeholders to address the immediate precursors of this potentially preventable public health priority.

While the risk factors are to be reduced, it is also an imperative that the protective factors be enhanced to build resilience among the vulnerable to effectively reduce the climbing suicidal rates in Guyana and by extension further afield.

The Suicide Prevention Bill No 8 of 2022 was successfully passed in the National Assembly in the last quarter of 2022. It is expected that the legislative and executive branches of government and stakeholders will ensure that at the primary care and at the community levels the appropriate screening for suicide be done where there should be supportive services. Could the Task Force and members of the Suicide Prevention Commission get to work?

Mindful of the increase in economic activities and economic expansion, we must be watchful that the condition of the vulnerable and marginalized is not worsened and that the correct policy interventions are timely and effective so social dislocation does not fuel suicides. I therefore call on the Government and policy makers to quickly address the social determinants of health so that the citizens’ pain will not outweigh the existing resources of coping.

Let there be L- I- F- E.

L-limit the access to means of suicide.

I-Interact with the media to ensure responsible reporting.

F -Foster life skills for the young people, and

E- Early identify and support the affected.

Let us stop this scourge NOW which affects not only individuals but has impacted families, communities, societies, yea the World. Let us Create and Give Hope Through Our Collective Actions.

Regards,

Dr. Karen Cummings

APNU/AFC Shadow Minister for Health

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Dr. Karen Cummings, Letters

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