Dear Editor,
The Caribbean Voice, through its social activism program, Arise, has been advocating a number of measures that are low cost or no cost, easy to implement and that could be significant in helping to tackle the suicide epidemic sweeping Guyana. And, we do believe that redressing this plague definitely requires a multi-sectoral approach, as pointed out by Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsarran. In this context we strongly believe that Ministry of Education has a crucial role to play.
Firstly we are suggesting that the Health and Family Life Education Programme curriculum should include suicide, substance abuse, all forms of violence and abuse with special emphasis on domestic abuse, relationships and intimacy (at the appropriate age levels), including teenage pregnancy and alcoholism and substance abuse. Teachers who handle this curriculum can be provided with in service and/or professional development training in the evenings, at weekends and on holidays.
Secondly, we suggest that the initiative to have at least one guidance counsellor in each school, that existed some time ago, be re-launched. Teachers can be provided with basic training through the University of Guyana (all campuses) and/or in service training. These counsellors could perform dual roles by also serving the communities in which their schools are located, at least during their working hours.
Thirdly we also suggest that through Parent Teacher Associations, workshops on good parenting be held especially focusing on the suicide and related issues, the identification of signs and signals and first response using empathetic communication and affirmation of self acceptance, self forgiveness and self worth. Resources from the teaching staff, UG, the Ministries of Health, Home Affairs and Social Services as well as the national associations of psychologists and social workers can be tapped to ensure the success of these workshops.
Fourthly, we also suggest that these issues can be incorporated into the academic curriculum and extra curricula activities via essay, poetry, art, debates, drama and quizzes. In this respect The Caribbean Voice is prepared to underwrite an essay contest for all schools for the 2014-15 school year.
In fact, we have already presented a proposal to the Guyana Teachers’ Union relating to this contest.
Furthermore, we urge that through the good offices of the Minister of Education, the initiative recently undertaken by students at Black Bush Polder, New Amsterdam and the Essequibo Coast to rally against suicide and related issues, be extended countrywide, both as a means of bringing public attention to these issues as well as to develop social activism in our students so that they can take this activism into their communities and various community based institutions. Perhaps students can be allowed one day a term, at least one day a school year, for this kind of
activity, and parents and the community can also be invited to participate. We are certain, that if alerted, the media would be delighted to cover these events. Perhaps students themselves can do reports for the media.
Additionally, we strongly urge that fifth formers be tasked with conducting surveys on suicide, domestic violence and related issues within their communities and that they use the information to infer patterns, et al.
This exercise can be projects in ELA, science and social studies. The Caribbean Voice is willing to assist with drafting the questionnaires, if such help is needed. And we are also willing to collect the answers to questionnaires, collate and analyze them and present the findings to the ministry and the media, if the ministry is unable to do so.
Also we support the point made by board member, Dr Faith Harding, as published recently in the media – that students at the Teachers Training College and the University of Guyana, be taught courses on mental health. This knowledge and the attendant skills can and will become needed in the workplace, the community and family lives.
Yours faithfully,
Norkah Carter
Devv-Ramdas Daniel
Judy Deveaux
Annan Boodram
Bibi Ahamad
Collis Nicholson
Anna Addie Odyssey
Donna Jennifer Ross
Pandit Sharma Daneshwar
Pandit Amintnarine
Rabindradat
Shoba Jagnanan
