GEORGETOWN: Eight members of the volunteer group Prevention of Teenage Suicide Guyana (POTS-GUY) has recently concluded a two weeks suicide prevention training workshop in New York, United States, and radio interviews where they were able to raise funds for the organization.
In the near term, POTS-GUY will be resuming their school outreach programme, particularly in regions 2 and 6. Our new campaigning, set to be launched in January 2017, which will be targeting the Region 6- East Berbice Corentyne communities.
ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is an intensive, interactive and practice dominated course designed to help persons recognize and review risks and intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. The trainers of this workshop are certified by Living Works, INC as accomplished practitioners in suicide prevention, intervention and post intervention. The NYS Office of Mental Health Field Office also hosted a workshop themed safeTALK on the 18th November, 2016.
In addition to the training and workshop, the Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Mr. Draper, also arranged for POTS-GUY to visit and conduct a radio interview with NY WPAT, which enabled the organisation to raise approximately USD$2000.00, which will aid in our continuous school outreach.
These workshops have assisted our members and volunteers in becoming more efficient and effective in undertaking their various duties within the organization as we continue our journey to eradicate suicide throughout Guyana.
Vice President Ruth English-Wilson described the overall experience as “wonderful yet challenging”. The VP noted that she “appreciated the way in which the training helped me in learning new ways to tackle suicidal situations when someone is speaking to you in an indirect manner” She further added that “the workshops taught the group that many challenges will be faced ahead, however, they should all be strongminded to tackle them.”
Ravindra Mohandeo – Operations Advisor and Manager of Tour Committee, described his experience from the training as a “tremendous one”. Noting that he gained a lot from the exposure and he was truly grateful for the opportunity. Mohandeo further explained, “I was given the opportunity to share some of our stories and experiences from victims we dealt with in the past and also share ways in which we dealt with these cases. In addition, I was also thought new ways on how to deal with these victims, apart from refreshing myself from the knowledge and information that was previously thought to me.” Mohandeo further noted “the trained professionals also give the group a chance to visit the New York
Mental Health Unit Helpline and was shown the procedure under which they (NYMHUH) receive calls. They explained the technology behind the system and also gave an insight on the extent to which the calls are received.”
Throughout the training, POTS- GUY was also given a chance to develop responses to cases which were given in real life situations.
The Non – Governmental, non-profitable organization POTS-GUY has made lifelong collaborations with various Ministries and Organizations across the country. In the past, they have had great success in their journey, and through collaborations with these entities, we have received training in Suicide Prevention Awareness, established a Suicide Prevention Hotline and visited over 60 High Schools across the country raising awareness on this issue. POTS-GUY also attended the Suicide Prevention Workshop hosted by the Florida National Guard Service in collaboration with the United States Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana on March 10th 2016.
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