THE issue of suicide was addressed yesterday at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School on Mandela Avenue when the school held a special assembly for its students from Forms One to Five.Addressing the students on a preventative approach to suicide were Pastor Eworth Williams, James Anthony Bond, Dr. Dawn Stewart-Lyken, Delon Sancho and Tevonna Cole. In his address to the assembly, Pastor Williams cited Jeremiah 29:11 in the Bible as the basis for his interaction with the students and teachers. That biblical text says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The youth pastor prayed with the children and, as part of the interaction, invited them by a show of hands to indicate whether at some point any of them had contemplated or may have been familiar with someone who either committed or had attempted suicide.

“A season for everything”
The students were also advised that “in life, it matters not where you are presently, but where you are likely to be in the future.” He highlighted, according to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, that all things have a season, and if there is hardship being experienced, that, too, will pass sooner than later.

The young people were also cautioned not to take very seriously negative talk such as rumours and gossip, since those are all considered contributory factors that push persons to commit suicide, or provide them with the tragic thought.

Seek immediate help
According to Pastor Williams, young people and people in general need to be comfortable with who they are and what they have, and allow those considerations to guide their decisions; but if, for any reason, they have second thoughts of living, then they should seek immediate help.

Politician, attorney-at-law and past student of North Ruimveldt Multilateral, James Anthony Bond, also addressed the assembly. The attorney made it clear to the students and teachers that the issue of suicide is a very important and serious one, and can be addressed and effectively controlled only if there is team work.

“Vibrant collaboration”
According to Bond, “Team work makes the dream work.” In addressing the issue of suicide, he called for “vibrant collaboration” among all persons, including schools, teachers, politicians and other stakeholders. He also urged persons to look out for their peers, and once they sense that the person might be in a state of depression or otherwise, to speak with them and ensure that they have the help that they need.

Dr. Lyken, in her interaction with the students, read them a poem which spoke to judging persons unfairly. The essence of her poem was that persons should not seek to pass judgment on persons for their mistakes and actions if those passing judgment are unfamiliar with the reasons behind the actions of those persons.

All have a purpose
She also spoke very sternly to the children and their teachers about their existence, and reminded them that they all have a purpose and their existence does not represent an accident, but rather a purpose.

The children also received a talk on the issue of depression, understanding one’s sexuality, and how the expectations and values of society can influence one’s actions. That talk was given by Sancho, while Cole reached out to the children by way of a dance.

Drama, singing, dance, steel pan rendition, poetry and other features were all part of the special assembly at the school yesterday. The event was organized by Donna McDonald, one of the teachers at North Ruimveldt Multilateral. (lsmith@Guyanachronicle.com)

By Leroy Smith