IN an effort to combat suicide and other social ills, the importance of self-esteem was taught to secondary school students yesterday as the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission commenced its pilot programme on self-esteem building.The objective of the session was to bring awareness to the core issues of suicide and also educate the youngsters on self-esteem, equip them with resilience, inner strength and confidence needed to face the world.
Self-esteem
Research has shown that children with low self-esteem are often described as hesitant to take risks and move out of their comfort zone. They often talk and think negatively about themselves and ultimately feel a sense of no purpose and despair with some seeing suicide as a way out. The session was organized by the Humanitarian Mission and facilitated by Peace Corps Volunteers Kayla Freemon and Zack Keefer.
The facilitators in a very interactive session explained to students the meaning of self-esteem and being able to identify and differentiate between a positive and negative one.
The first session which started at the Lower Corentyne Secondary School aimed to help a core group of students at each school feel comfortable and exude confidence and feel positive self-esteem so that they can in turn help their peers build their self-esteem as well. Keefer explained that self-esteem issues can affect everyone, especially teenagers.
He also noted that the session aimed to help teens feel ‘comfortable in their own skin’ while building their confidence so in turn they can help others to build their self-esteem.
The second session was held with a group of students from the Port Mourant Secondary School. Meanwhile, President of the NJASHM Suresh Sugrim in an exclusive interview with Guyana Chronicle said his organisation is going to do whatever it takes to get this suicide epidemic under control in Region 6.
“Taking lives – it’s a mindset of something and we are hoping to work with the younger generation, work with the school, the education, health together we can make a difference as it is the mission of the NJAS. We are here to break that vicious cycle and to regain family status and we need to focus on individuals and family values.”
Sugrim, also used the opportunity to plead with parents to listen to their children and be there for them. “There are tremendous breakdowns in family values and if we look what’s been happen over the past weeks with our young children who are criminals they should have been in school so I am asking parents to start taking control of your children. Invest into your children’s wellbeing – don’t allow your children to become parents at a young age as parents you have an obligation to your children.”

Chairman of the NJASHM Dauren Deonarine said with the recent rise in suicide they decided to take a step in putting a stop to the crisis. “We decide to tackle the problem from its core – we are dealing with a root issue… our primary target is the young people who when they get older and move on will instill the values into others around them so we saw it wise to target the younger children.”
Deonarine said that the sessions will continue with various secondary schools across the Region and will later move on to primary schools.
Meanwhile, persons are being encouraged to come out and support a Suicide Prevention Walkathon on January 22 commencing at 9:30hrs at Dr. Tulsi Street, Williamsburg and ending at the Port Mourant Community Centre ground.

By Nafeeza Yahya