‘ Choose life – say no to suicide’
The large gathering of students at  Brickdam Secondary School for the "Choose life – say no to suicide" session.
The large gathering of students at Brickdam Secondary School for the "Choose life – say no to suicide" session.

–message shared with Brickdam Secondary children

“CHOOSE life – say no to suicide,” was the message Friday morning when a session was hosted at the Brickdam Secondary School by the Schools Welfare Unit to sensitise students and teachers about suicide prevention.

Ziya Rambarran of St. Rose’s High School during her dance performance.
Ziya Rambarran of St. Rose’s High School during her dance performance.

During brief remarks, Senior Schools Welfare Officer Glenna Vyphius told the large gathering of schoolchildren and teachers that suicide has been plaguing Guyana within recent times and reminded them of the meaning of suicide.

NOT AN OPTION
She said that suicide means someone taking his/her own life intentionally, which is often caused by depression, death of a loved one, or a traumatic experience and feelings of being unworthy and pointed out that suicide is not an option in these circumstances.
Vyphius stated that at times feelings become overwhelming, leading to suicide among school-age children, because they could not escape feeling helpless, but suicide is not the answer. The answer is actually in getting help and she urged children to never act on suicidal thoughts.
Moreover, she explained to the children that suicide is not poetic, but it is a selfish act, so if one has suicidal feelings it is essential to seek help and talk to someone, whether that person is a religious leader, a teacher, a parent or a friend.

Kirk Jardine during his testimony at the "Choose life – say no to suicide" session at the Brickdam Secondary School.
Kirk Jardine during his testimony at the “Choose life – say no to suicide” session at the Brickdam Secondary School.

CLOUDED JUDGMENT
She said that often suicide is caused by clouded judgment through overwhelming emotional pain coupled with depression, feelings of being unwanted, or a chemical imbalance of not being able to think straight, and in such cases one must seek help or treatment.

TELLTALE SIGNS
She also advised students to look out for each other, since suicide is everybody’s business. Look for a few telltale signs of withdrawal, making statements or drawings about suicide, giving away personal belongings, hostile behaviour, neglect of personal appearance, risky behaviour such as driving recklessly, running away from home, promiscuous behaviour and being unusually quiet.
Meanwhile, Pastor Eworth Williams, who is also a motivational speaker, told the gathering that he has always tried to make people happy, but often it came over “wrong” when he was in high school.
As a former student of Brickdam Secondary School, he said that it doesn’t matter where you start, but it matters where you go, since “God has a way and we must harness those strengths.”

REJECT NEGATIVE TALK
He explained that while in high school he was mischievous like any other teenage student and was told that he would never amount to anything, but he proved that person wrong because he did not listen to that negative talk.
Williams said only God can take away pain and he does it through people who offer help in many ways and persons must confront challenges in order to overcome them, no matter what.He ended his talk with a prayer which was well received.

FORMER ADDICT
And giving testimony was Kirk Jardine, popularly known as “Chow Pow,” who talked about his life as a drug addict for 21 years, when he had a feeling of helplessness and even tried to take his own life several times. However, he came to realise that he had a purpose and has now made something of his life by serving his purpose in being a comedian, among other things.
Jardine told the students that at age eight, he began smoking and at age 11 he was introduced to marijuana, which he abused to cover his pain when he began to have family problems, but he changed his life since suicide was not an option as life is worth living, no matter the circumstance.
The session was enlivened by songs and dances by a number of students. (Michel Outridge)

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