Georgetown : The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with the New Jersey, Arya Samaj Mandir, and Humanitarian Mission will be hosting a “Let’s Talk” initiative on Suicide Prevention and Spirituality in Berbice, today.
The event will be held at Corentyne Comprehensive High School, Port Mourant, at 11:00hrs and featuring discussions by stakeholders, Ministry officials, youths and members of the public. The topics slated for discussion includes the causes, prevention, and passing on effects and solutions to the problem.
Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Patrick Findlay noted that the reason for the event being hosted in Berbice is because the county accounts for one of the highest suicide rates in the country. He added that there have already been about seven reported cases of suicide in Berbice for this year.
President of the New Jersey, Arya Samaj Mandir, Humanitarian Mission, Pandit Suresh Sugrim acknowledged that the prevention of suicide is not only about sensitization, but also spirituality. He said “it is about us coming together to address the issues, not only on suicide prevention but more importantly spirituality.”
He added that “as long as that person is spiritual, they will not turn to suicide; each and every one of us will hit rock bottom from time to time, but committing suicide is not the solution to problems.”
Faith based organisations, he said play an important factor in curbing suicide that has been destroying the foundation of families.
Chief Probation Officer of the Ministry, Forbes Munroe, highlighted that the Ministry is also working on an initiative called “Hope for All”, which will be a nationwide idea to create sensitisation on the issue of suicide. This undertaking will see staff of the ministry reaching out to individuals in various communities countrywide to hold discussions on the said topic. These individuals will also be found in the streets of the city conducting sensitisation.
Meanwhile, Pandit Sugrim, highlighted that his organisation has been working with the Government of Guyana to create a humanitarian village, where abandoned and street children and other abused and neglected individuals will be housed.
Government has provided the organisation with the land and the construction of the first building has concluded. This building was built at a cost of approximately US$100,000 and is located in Port Mourant, Berbice.
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