The National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Programme under the Nirvana Humanitarian Society was inaugurated today with a walk from the Leonora Synthetic Track to Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara, GINA said.
Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton at the launch, in support of the programme which aims to prevent Guyanese from committing suicide stated that, “over the years we have experienced alarmingly high figures in suicide and suicide attempt cases, taking our beautiful nation to the top of the list of countries with the highest suicide rates. This has not only affected persons directly connected to a situation, but to the country at large.”
Common causes of suicide, “are related to family problems, couple problems, inter- personal conflict and religious to cultural influences and differences,” Norton pointed out, according to GINA.
This has a major effect on communities which is why suicide prevention is everyone’s business. Involvement from leaders, various organizations, Ministries, non- governmental organizations and the entire population, “is very important in raising this awareness,” Norton added.
Additionally Norton went on to say that, “it is important to note that support of friends and relatives are crucial for people who may be at risk of suicide and for people who have lost someone to suicide.”
