St. Lucia Records Decrease In Suicide Cases

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, April 2, 2019 (CMC) – St. Lucia reported a significant decline in suicide cases, last year, as compared to 2017, the Department of Health and Wellness has reported.

Figures, released by the Department of Health and Wellness Suicide Report, show that there were three cases, last year, as compared with 13 the previous year.

“As we noted, between 2015 to 2017, there was an average of about seven to eight suicides for the year, and that was after the National Helpline was started. But in 2017, there was a bump up to 13, followed by a decrease, last year, to three,” said consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Julius Gilliard.

He praised the Department for its suicide prevention efforts, noting however, that despite the decrease in the number of suicides, there was need to continue efforts to prevent any increase in suicides in the future.

“We plan on doing things a little better, this year, to continue to sensitize the public as to the presence of the national helpline, and to remind persons that help is available, in case they are having suicidal thoughts,” he said.

“We, as well, want to go out a little more to the other communities, because our efforts, last year, were centered mainly in Castries, apart from the television ads. So we want to go out into the communities to bring help to persons, who may not be able to come to Castries to be a part of the activities,” Dr. Gilliard said, urging persons to be on the lookout for relatives, whose lives are in immediate danger, because of suicidal thoughts.