In an effort to raise suicide awareness in Guyana, a New Jersey, USA-based non-profit organization is collaborating with the Ministry of Human Services and other stakeholders to sensitize members of the public.
Speaking with the media yesterday at the Ministry’s boardroom, Pandit Suresh Sugrim from the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir asserted that “if we are to find the remedy for suicide, then we have to turn to spirituality while adding that, “as long as a person is spiritual that person would not turn to suicide. Everyone one of us would hit rock bottom from time to time, but committing suicide is not the solution to problems.”
He contended that faith-based organizations play an important factor in curbing the epidemic of suicide that is destroying family foundations at the national level. “The Government has tried and done well, the Ministry has tried, but faith-based organizations know their areas,
live and interact with their communities 24/7,” he stated.
Today, Sugrim said that the group plans to hold an awareness Programme at the Corentyne Comprehensive High School under the theme ‘Suicide prevention and spirituality’ given the fact that Berbice has taken the lead in what has been happening with suicide in Guyana.
He pointed out that the organization has been working in Guyana since 2005, and opined that ‘handouts’ are not the way to go. “Handouts are not the solution to the problem, if we want to break the iceberg of poverty, we need to start educating and empowering the people.”
Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Ministry Patrick Findlay welcomed the initiative while also expressing similar sentiments that the way forward has to do with sensitization. Findlay added that while religious organizations have not failed the communities, they have neglected them.
According to Findlay, parents also need to evolve and adjust. “We have to learn that this is a different era, parents need to evolve into the time that we live and they need to flex. Ninety per cent of the cases we have had and when we examined the cases it was all about relationships…we have to get parents and guardians involved and understand the times in which we live.”
Chief Probation Officer, Forbes Munroe informed that the probation and social services department has taken measures to meet and talk with persons in various communities.
