THE Public Security Ministry is in support of a suicide vigil titled “Voices Against Violence National Candlelight Vigil.”It is planned for World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.

While applauding the efforts of the 20-plus organisations that are partnering to make the event possible, the Public Security Ministry, in a press release, stated that Guyana is small enough for the vigil to be “eminently doable, especially given the significance and effect of this national scourge.”
It said that Guyana’s history teaches that differences – whether political, ethnic, religious, gender, or sexuality – are never obstacles in the face of people’s resolve.
The ministry said it recognises the need for communities to bridge all divides as a critical step to create positive change. The vigil will foster community collaboration, it said, adding that it will focus on saving lives and preventing harm and foster the process of societal transformation.
In addition, the Public Security Ministry said it believes that the vigil can be another step in redressing violence in all its manifestations– human-trafficking, suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, domestic, gender and child abuse, rape, incest, teenage pregnancy, road carnage, dysfunctional relationships, neglect of the elderly, abuse of the mentally and physically challenged and inter-personal violence. It can also lead to the understanding that empowerment of the individual is a function of communities and, thus, help to encourage communities to become more self-reliant in seeking to create a safe environment. When communities are safe, then the nation becomes safe, the ministry said.
Several organisations are coordinating the vigil and these include Caribbean Voice, Golden Om Dharmic Youth, Save Abee Foundation, Orchid Foundation, the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, NJASM Humanitarian Mission, Art of Living (Guyana), Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Imagine Nation Foundation, GIVE Foundation, Monique’s Helping Hands, Guyana Women’s Roundtable, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Crossroad Suicide & Mental Health Awareness Services, Galaxy 21 Communications, Team MMR, Guyana Divya Jyoti Association, Seventh Days Adventist of Guyana, Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nicosia Sisters, East Canje Humanitarian Society and Miss Universe Guyana.
In addition, the Ministry of Public Security in its statement urged all communities across Guyana to unite and organise similar vigils on September 10th and turn out in large numbers to start the process of tackling violence. “We appeal to religious institutions, sports clubs, youth and women’s groups, political and cultural organisations, professional and business entities and all individuals to make Voices Against Violence a truly national effort,” the release stated.
The ministry expressed hope that other NGOs will become involved. “We appeal to local and community leaders, businessmen and others with influence to help bring this off by ensuring that a vigil is organised in every community,” it said.