Guyana Dealing With High Rates Of Suicides

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The rapid establishment of a multi-stakeholder task force to coordinate the work of the four strategic action areas outlined in the National Suicide Prevention Plan, 2015-2020, was among recommendations taken during a meeting held to deal with the increasing number of suicides in Guyana.

The Ministry of Health in a statement Tuesday said, that the government “will lead in efforts to tackle the present trend; suicide prevention is everybody’s business”.

The meeting last Sunday, which was attended by various stakeholders, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, also discussed an emergency suicide plan.

The authorities say, “hundreds of people die from suicide, which corresponds to roughly one death every day and a half.

“Suicide is among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years, and the second leading cause of death in the 10-24 age group. These figures do not include attempts, which are approximated to be 20-25 cases for every death by suicide in the country,” according to the Ministry of Health statement.

It said, the objective of the meeting that was also attended by government ministers, was to appraise all key stakeholders on the magnitude and burden of suicide in Guyana; examine the proposed suicide prevention plan; and identify the critical elements for actions, as well as define roles, responsibilities and functions of all partners.

It was also intended to develop a joint work plan and a monitoring and evaluation framework, prepare a draft budget and establish a technical task force to oversee the implementation of the initiative.

The Ministry of Health said, that the National Suicide Prevention Plan, as presented to the meeting, will provide guidance for the development of a joint work plan, including a wide cross-section of partners.

It added, that the work plan will enable collaboration among government ministries, international partners, NGOs, FBOs and other stakeholders, and that the proposed activities in this multi-sectorial approach will be aligned to one of four strategic action areas namely, risk factors reduction, health promotion and prevention; reducing access to the means of suicide; improving health systems’ response to suicidal behaviour; and strengthening surveillance and research on suicide in Guyana.

“The meeting agreed on a rapid establishment of a multi-stakeholder task force to coordinate the work of the four strategic action areas and to provide feedback to the key Minister and government. The technical working groups each developed a short- and medium-term action plan of activities, to be immediately implemented,” the Ministry of Health said.

It said, the meeting also agreed to a wider stakeholder’s forum nationally, involving all NGOs, CBOs and FBOs, to coordinate regional level actions in the areas when the problem is most acute.