Anti-Suicide/Anti-Violence Campaign launched

─ citizens urged ‘to get on board the initiative’ – Min. Norton

DPI, Guyana, Friday, August 10, 2018

The ‘Caribbean Voice’ in collaboration with ‘Voices Against Violence’ launched the third annual Anti-Suicide, Anti-Violence Campaign today.

The grouping also used the occasion to announce the selection of Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton to be their patron and Miss World Guyana, Ambika Ramraj as their spokesperson.

The month-long campaign is aimed at raising awareness on the issue of suicide and is set to end with candlelight vigils across the country on the eve of September 10, which is internationally observed as World Suicide Prevention Day.

In his address, Minister Norton encouraged “fellow Guyanese to get on board with this initiative,” and collaborate with not only Caribbean Voice but other bodies “working towards ending suicide and violence all together…As a people, it is important for us to unite against all forms of social ills and I believe that observing these vigils would be a great start.”

He noted that Guyana was one of the countries which “moved aggressively to develop a suicide prevention plan” which has resulted in the drastic decline of the nation’s suicide rate.

Miss World Guyana, Ambika Ramraj also expressed her gratitude to be a part of the initiative. According to TCV National Director, Nizam Hussain, while September 10 is observed as World Suicide Prevention Day, the organization has taken it a step further by adding “Anti-Violence” to the campaign because suicide has become increasingly associated with domestic abuse.

Hussain stated, “the vision of the Caribbean Voice is for every Guyanese to understand the basic elements of suicide, its warning signs.” He explained that every action committed “emanates out of the brain, the thought of harm emanates out of the brain.”

Just recently, the American University of Peace Studies hosted a public symposium on Domestic Violence which addressed the psychological aspect of violence and the fact that people act based on what they hold in their subconscious.

Leslyn Holder, Education and Training Director of TCV disclosed that in their efforts to address suicide in all regions of Guyana, the organization is set to host three-day sessions for an entire year. These sessions, which are expected to begin in July 2019, are partly sponsored by KFC Guyana.

By: Anara Khan

Image: Keno George