Collective action needed

May 27, 2026 Editorial, News

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(Kaieteur News) – The latest findings from the Pan American Health Organisation and The Lancet Regional Health – Americas should trouble every Guyanese conscience. Once again, Guyana has been identified as having the highest youth suicide rate in the region. Behind the statistics are shattered families, grieving communities and young lives cut tragically short before their potential could ever be realised.

Suicide has become a national social crisis that touches every village, school, workplace and household. It is a painful reminder that economic progress alone does not guarantee emotional wellbeing, social stability or hope for the future.

At the same time, the report also points to a measure of progress. Guyana is reportedly one of the few countries showing a decline in suicide rates over the past two decades. This demonstrates that interventions, awareness campaigns and community efforts may be having some effect. Yet no nation can celebrate while suicide remains among the leading causes of death for its young people. The challenge before Guyana is therefore twofold: to acknowledge the progress made while recognising that much more urgent work remains to be done.

The causes of suicide are complex and deeply interconnected. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety continue to affect many young people, often silently. Poverty, unemployment, family instability, substance abuse, domestic violence and social isolation also create emotional burdens that can overwhelm vulnerable individuals. In today’s digital age, cyberbullying, harmful online content and unrealistic social pressures have added new dimensions to the crisis.

One of the more alarming findings in the report is the widespread use of pesticides in suicide deaths. The accessibility of highly toxic substances in rural and agricultural communities continues to place many lives at risk. This is an area where decisive policy action can save lives. Stronger regulations governing the storage, sale and handling of dangerous chemicals should no longer be delayed. Evidence from other countries has shown that restricting access to lethal means can significantly reduce suicide rates.

However, legislation alone will not solve this problem. Suicide prevention requires a sustained national effort involving government, schools, religious organisations, healthcare professionals, community leaders and families themselves. Too often, mental health remains surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding in Guyanese society. Many who are struggling emotionally are afraid to seek help because they fear ridicule, rejection or being labeled as weak.

That culture must change.

Mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as physical illness. Schools must be equipped with trained counsellors and support systems capable of identifying troubled students early. Teachers should receive training to recognise warning signs, while parents must be encouraged to engage more openly with their children about emotional struggles and mental wellbeing.

Religious and community organisations also have an important role to play. In many communities, churches, mandirs and mosques remain trusted institutions. They can help foster compassion, encourage dialogue and provide safe spaces where struggling individuals feel heard rather than judged. Communities must move away from dismissive attitudes that tell young people simply to “be strong” or “get over it.” Emotional pain cannot always be overcome through silence.

Government, too, must continue expanding access to mental health services, particularly in rural regions where professional support is often limited or nonexistent. Counselling services, crisis hotlines and community outreach programmes should be strengthened and adequately funded. In a country experiencing growing revenues and economic transformation, investment in the emotional wellbeing of citizens must become a national priority.

Importantly, the conversation surrounding suicide must remain balanced and responsible. While the statistics are alarming, the narrative should not create hopelessness or reinforce negative perceptions about Guyana and its people. There are many Guyanese families, teachers, healthcare workers and organisations working tirelessly to support vulnerable youth and reduce these tragedies. Their efforts deserve recognition and support.

Young people, especially, must be reminded that difficult circumstances do not define the rest of their lives. Failure, heartbreak, unemployment, academic struggles or family problems are not permanent conditions. Help exists, and there are people willing to listen and support them through their darkest moments.

Ultimately, suicide prevention is not solely the responsibility of government or medical professionals. It is a collective moral obligation. Every citizen has a role to play in building a society where compassion is stronger than stigma, where support replaces silence, and where hope triumphs over despair.

Guyana cannot afford to lose another generation of young people to preventable tragedy. The time for sustained, united and compassionate action is now.

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• ‘The Lancet Regional Health, Editorial, PAHO, youth suicide rate

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