THE Hope for All (HFA) organisation has partnered with the Region Two Administration to fight the scourge of suicide, currently at an alarming rate on the Essequibo Coast.Members Tiffany Griffith and Miriam Hinds Tuesday met Region 2 Chairman Mr Devanand Ramdatt in his office at Anna Regina to discuss setting up a programme of activities to combat the high rate of suicide in the region.

The Hope For All representatives told Mr Ramdatt that, 14 years ago, the group commenced its activities with HIV victims.

Ms Miriam Hinds has said that, with the high rate of suicide in the region, the group is now focusing on suicide, and not just on HIV.

She said there is ‘hope for all’, and the barriers must be removed, because the issues that lead to suicide are based mostly on substance abuse, gender-based violence, and parental conflict with their children, which are all interlinked.

She said the group gives to persons a sense of hope for their lives.
Region Two Chairman, Mr Ramdatt, said he is pleased that Hope For All has joined with the Regional Administration to fight suicide.
The Chairman said he is very confident that the programme of activities and actions to combat suicide would be effective.
Mr Ramdatt said some of the action points are raising awareness and providing counselling in communities, so as to have a decrease in suicide cases. The Chairman said that, with the help of the business community, the television and radio stations will also be used for public discussions and solutions on suicide, and to air brief messages on the prevention of suicide.
Reports are that three persons aged 15, 18 and 33 were admitted to the Suddie Hospital after ingesting poisonous substances last week. The 33-year-old male reportedly drank a quantity of gramoxone (poison), while the 15- and 18-year-old females ingested a poison used for killing grass.
All three persons are said to be experiencing personal problems.
Region Two is reputed to have the highest number of suicide cases in the country. (Rajendra Prabhulall)