St. Lucia Crisis Centre Worried At High Rates Of Suicides

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Mar 4, (CMC) – Amid an upsurge in suicides, the St. Lucia Crisis Centre (SCC) is appealing to citizens, particularly young people, who are “experiencing any kind of problem, to talk to somebody”.

SCC Managing Director, Norma La Borde, made the plea after the body of 24-year-old Digicel employee, Bianca Felix, was found hanging from the ceiling of a house, yesterday. Police have ruled out foul play.

“When we heard about it, as I understand it, this young lady of 24 years, allegedly committed suicide, it distressed me, because my first thought was 24 years old, there is so much life ahead of you, and we always talk about the youth being the future of the country, and we have a 24 year old whose life is snuffed out,” La Borde said.

She also wondered, whether anyone had noticed signs of depression or other indicators, and appealed to people experiencing problems to talk to somebody.

“If you see something, if you hear someone talking about taking their life, come to us; go to a friend; go to a pastor; go to your church; but you need to do something because we are losing our young people,” the Crisis Centre managing director said.

La Borde said, that many of the young people who come to the SCC for assistance, speak of a lack of employment opportunities.

“They are not working and they are not able to sustain themselves or feed themselves, or if they have children they are not able to do it, so they remain in abusive relationships just because they need someone to help them out financially,” she said, adding, that there is a need for more jobs in the country.

So far this year, three people have committed suicide. Last year more than 12 people took their own lives.