Dear Editor,
In a nation where professional first responders and referrals relating to suicide prevention are very few and far between and where cost becomes a deterrent, faith based associations can play a critical role, especially given that most Guyanese subscribe to one religion or another. ARISE has noted a number of initiatives in this regard over the last few months, and we firmly believe that such efforts should be ongoing and extended to every region and district of Guyana, especially since doing so requires basic organization and very little financial outlay. In fact, planning and execution are just a matter of will and timing.
Given this reality, we are appealing to centrally based religious entities, especially the Guyana Council of Churches (GCC), the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) and the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), to run with the ball. Pastors, pandits, moulvis and imams can enhance their capacity to engage in counselling through training sessions that include clinical inputs via the Ministries of Health and Social Services, the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers and the Guyana Psychological Association, all of which can also catalyze a network of referrals. Furthermore, our facebook page, ‘The Suicide Epidemic at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/suicideepidemic has more information about suicide, especially as it relates to Guyana, than any other single source, on the web. We also have a you tube channel – https://www.youtube.com/user/ab10460– with useful videos. Armed with this training, priests, pandits, moulvis and imams can address suicide and related issues in their sermons and interactions with their various congregations and sending communities. Possibly also, churches, mandirs and mosques can set up special committees to reach out to those who may display suicidal behaviour and/or experience abuse, relationship issues and so on. The grapevine usually identifies such individuals, and in this respect any sort of behaviour or language change should be cause for outreach, initially focused on empathetic communication and building of self-acceptance.
Given the pervasiveness of suicide and related issues and the urgent need for action to arrest these practices, we are certain that the wider community would be more than willing to help with resources to make these training sessions possible. Also we know that many religious institutions do receive assistance from overseas through various linkages and that many diaspora based individuals and entities are more than willing to donate their time, effort and even resources in voluntary work in the areas of suicide and related issues, if facilitated. In keeping with the diaspora initiative launched some time ago by President Ramotar, perhaps such linkages, entities and individuals can be tapped to realize training sessions.
Additionally, the youth sections of religious institutions can embark on a series of activities to highlight suicides and related social issues – grass roots theatre, songs and music, debates, essay and poetry writing and whatever else is possible.
This campaign would ensure that youth sections become more active, are engaged in activities that would hold their interest and enable them to bring other young people into the fold as well as provide opportunities for the institutions themselves to reach out to wider communities within which they are located. Media coverage can be sought for such activities and winners of various contests can be given prizes and/or certificates.
In the final analysis, religious leaders and institutions have an obligation to attend to the material, physical and social needs of their constituents. After all, faith is not an abstract concept but rather one that is exemplified through concrete service in the manner of Mother Theresa, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Satya Sai Baba, Malala Yousafzai and so many others of faith throughout time.
Yours faithfully,
Norkah Carter
Devv-Ramdas Daniel
Judy Deveaux
Annan Boodram
