Dear Editor,
Kudos to Mr Annan Boodram, Ms Bibi Ahamad, Mrs Norkah Carter, Mr Nazim Hussain, Mr Yog Mahadeo and the young Divina Singh and Carol Lovell for a tremendous weekend conference and awards programme focused on the topic of suicide.
Congratulations to the new government in the form of Ministers Lawrence and Ramjattan for attending the conference and for placing emphasis on one of the most critical developmental and human issues facing Guyana.
A special thank you to the Caribbean Voice whose vision and persistence resulted in this effort. Thanks also to Cara Lodge, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Ms Ameena Gafoor, and all the other donors who graciously contributed their time and resources. Many others contributed but don’t want their names mentioned, because all agree with the Caribbean Voice’s motto ‘Suicide is everyone’s business’.
In the early 2000s the HIV and AIDS epidemic was suffocating Guyana. Over 60 NGOs and faith-based organizations sprang into action, some because funding was available, others because the crisis was very real in their daily lives. PREPFAR and other funding agencies helped to stem the tide.
Today we have an even more difficult crisis. Whereas groups like the Caribbean Voice, the Guyana Foundation and many faith-based and community organizations are engaged in this battle, more foot soldiers are needed. More funding is needed. More media are needed. More acknowledgement of the crisis is needed.
Indeed, ‘suicide’ should be a national conversation and our school system needs to be an essential area of response and awareness. Too many of our young people are perishing. For all of us to contribute, we need to be on guard for those suffering depression around us. The signs are many and include individuals who are:
* Persistently sad, anxious or have ‘empty’ feelings
* Have feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
* Have feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
* Are irritable and restless
* Have a loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
* Are fatigued and have decreased energy
* Have difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
* Suffer from insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
* Are overeating or have appetite loss
* Have thoughts of suicide and make suicide attempts
* Have persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.
I look forward to the day when each school will have a social worker and each community becomes a ‘sanctuary of hope’ for all our citizens.
Nation-building is everyone’s business and so is suicide prevention.
May organizations such as the Caribbean Voice continue their visionary quest and may all our people, young and old, be saved from this tragedy.
Yours faithfully,
Eric Phillips
