THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) is calling on the People’s Progressive Party to join the government in helping to fight the scourge of suicide even as it has expressed sadness on the deaths of Kavita Akloo and Ramesh Beharry, the young couple whose bodies were found in the vicinity of the Kingston seawall late Monday afternoon.While the official cause of death is yet to be determined, from the information in the public domain, it appears that the two persons of East Indian descent had committed suicide.
The IAC in statement said if the assumption is true, it once again highlights the “tragic consequences” of suicide which continues to plague the Guyanese society.
Only recently, well-known activist Zenita Nicholson committed suicide. The IAC said the Nicholson case points to the fact that even those who appear strong are vulnerable to the scourge. “This underlines the IAC’s position on suicide, that while it may be more prevalent in some Indo-Guyanese communities, it not confined therein,” the IAC said.
The organisation had made repeated calls in the past for suicide to be declared a national priority, but the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic administration which was in power at the time did not heed the call. It has made a similar call to the current A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU +AFC) government, and is encouraged by the response it has received thus far.
“While the IAC is pleased that the request has been positively received by this government and that there are ongoing engagements for its eventual unfolding, it believes that the declaration must have the full support of all stakeholders including the Opposition,” the statement said.
The IAC said it is of the firm belief that a national declaration would bring a much needed sense of priority, which in turn would necessitate the provision of the human, technical and financial resources that would be needed to educate and mitigate the circumstances that would propel people to end their lives.
It lamented that suicide continues to affect families, communities and the country as a whole.
“Guyana can ill-afford to have such losses in its human resources. It is in this context that IAC urge for a swift declaration and calls on civil society to lend support,” the IAC said.
The organisation also reiterated its call for all social and religious organisations to intensify their efforts to provide guidance and counselling where necessary to prevent suicide. The IAC said it stands ready to work with the administration and civil society to tackle the scourge. And on that note, the Indo-based Guyanese organisation is encouraging those who are contemplating suicide to seek help through places of worship, non-governmental organisations or any organisation that provides such services.
The IAC extended condolences to the families and friends of Kavita Akloo and Ramesh Beharry.