In observance of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, the Massy Group is once again collaborating with government agencies and NGOs to promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness to promote a range of activities.
In a release last week the Massy Group iterated its advocacy for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. It noted that over the years it has partnered with several agencies and NGOs to get the message out that “one life lost is one too many.” It explained that it has done so through drama, debating competitions, sensitization walks, discussion forums and televised programmes.
This year’s theme is “Working together to prevent suicide” and the Group will be partnering with The Mental Health Unit, the Ministry of Education, Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS) Guyana, and the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Massy Group to adjust its plans for 2020 to focus on activities that would ensure compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. Some of these activities are:
* Sponsorship of a five-minute radio programme, “Mental Health Matters with Massy”, Mondays through Fridays, on Jump Start – HJ 94.1 BOOM FM from August 3rd to October 1, 2020. While bringing awareness, the programme provides practical tips (approved by the Mental Health Unit) to the general public on mental health and suicide prevention.
* The wearing of IT Yellow and Green in support of World Suicide Prevention and World Mental Health Day on September 10 and October 10 respectively. * Ongoing social media posts with positive and uplifting messages on the Facebook pages for all the operating companies of the Group in Guyana. Helplines are also listed for persons to get professional help and assistance. The Steering Committee which plans the annual activities is also presently examining a Book Drive Initiative, which may see the Group donating age-appropriate literature on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health to secondary schools all across Guyana to provide more knowledge and build awareness among youths.
The Massy Group encourages everyone to educate themselves on the telltale signs of suicide and to reach out and help.
If you or someone you may know may be at risk for suicide, seek help by calling the lifelines: 226-1402, 226-1405, 225-0804, 226-1416, 223-0001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444.
