THE New Jersey Aryaj Samaj Humanatarian Mission (NJASHM) has partnered with Lisa Punch and Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS) Guyana to launch the ‘Be the One to’ campaign in Berbice.

In explaining the reason for the partnership and the purpose of the campaign, Punch, Founder of POTS Guyana, said she felt that Berbice is the right place for the launch of the campaign since the county has the highest recorded suicide rate in the country.

“We have partnered with NJASHM because, as you know, Guyana has the highest rate of suicide per capita in the world, and Berbice has the highest in the country,” she said. “So, we are here to launch our campaign, ‘Be the one to’.
“Be the one to ask; be the one to be there; be the one to be your brother’s keeper… We are going to be here extensively in the schools and in the communities, going door- to-door talking to families, telling them about suicide-prevention strategies and awareness and other social ills.
“We believe this is much needed in Berbice, and believe that by going to people’s homes and reaching them directly, that would be the most effective way of meeting those affected.”
ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS
Punch went on to explain that while there are other forms of reaching out, such as through group sessions or live programmes on TV and Radio, the one-on-one sessions in the comfort of your own home allows for a more personal interaction, where questions, concerns and solutions can be discussed and answered that many persons would have been shy about asking in any other setting.
And, given the magnitude of the work and resources required, the team met with Divisional Commander, Mr Ian Amsterdam and his team of other high-ranking officials of ‘B’ Division last Tuesday, and have since got his commitment that his community policing and youth groups will be a part of the campaign.

Speaking with the media after the meeting, NJASHM President, Mr Suresh Sugrim, said the collaboration with POTS and the Guyana Police Force is just the beginning, as he would like to see other
NGOs and like-minded groups and organisations get on board the programme.

“Suicide is everybody’s business,” he said, “and we will need all the help we can get, as this approach is geared to meet everyone in the comfort of their homes, and will require a lot of resources to be effective.
“So we are calling on all the NGOs and other organisations to come on board as we try to get the stigma attached to suicide from Berbice and Guyana replaced with positivity.
“We need to work together to touch and save as many lives as possible.”
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE
The campaign will for the first time seek to have counsellors visit every home in Berbice to educate and counsel persons on suicide and other social ills.

Punch, whose organisation is based in Georgetown, has given her word that she will be in Berbice twice weekly for the door-to-door and school visits on April 27 and 28.

“The organisation will begin door-to-door and in-school tours from the 27th to the 28th of April,” the former Miss Guyana World contestant said.
“The door-to-door, as a direct marketing tool,” she said, will probably be the most effective way to get persons to talk to someone, one-to-one, ask questions, and give solutions.”

Meanwhile, on Sunday last, both Punch and Sugrim paid a visit to the Corentyne home of the Berbice teen who was allegedly sexually molested by her stepfather.
They not only spoke with the teen and her mother, but also pledged to keep in close touch with the family so as to provide them with as much assistance as they possibly can.

The team later told this publication that having been shocked to learn of the family’s plight, and after reading the article in the Guyana Chronicle, they decided to reach out to them.
Punch said she was heartbroken after learning of what the teen had had to endure and was appalled that the authorities have not yet taken any real action against the alleged perpetrator.

It was for this reason that the team took the mother of the victim with them last Tuesday to their meeting with the divisional commander, who has since pledged to have a special team investigate the matter thoroughly.

As it relates to the actual rape matter, the commander has confirmed that the file is expected to be returned from the DPP this week and based on the advice, the relevant course of action will be taken.

Punch further appealed to all to be compassionate in dealing with the victims of any circumstance, since they are usually emotionally and psychologically scarred. She noted that the authorities have their jobs to do in questioning victims but care should be taken to ensure they do not feel as if they are the ones who are wrong  or who had brought the situation upon themselves.

Both POTS and NJASHM are calling on all NGOs and the Ministry of Social Protection to reach out to the family, since they are in need of any assistance they can get.
“We are providing some assistance and counselling to the victim and the family, but they really are in need of support, and can use any help they can get. So, please don’t hesitate, before it’s too late,” she said.