Dear Editor,

ONCE again the Minister of Human Services and Social Security has shown what is possible with political will by launching a mobile application to assist in its mandate to eliminate violence and abuse across Guyana. According to Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the gender-based violence referral application will be available on all android devices, and is in the process of being approved for the iOS app store. Now that way forward has been paved, perhaps the Ministry of Health could follow suit with a similar app for suicide prevention.

In fact, a local NGO has been lobbying for this for years now. This could be a stand-alone app or a mental health app that includes suicide prevention. As well, both Ministers Dr. Persaud and Dr. Anthony could collaborate with Minister Priya Manickchand to tackle suicide and abuse at the school level. The Trinidad & Tobago media recently reported, “THE (T&T) Ministry of Education will soon start testing an online tool to test pupils for depression…” This is certainly a tool to which these three ministers can give consideration – test, set up and include in both apps.

In like manner, perhaps links to some of the many online self-esteem questionnaires can be included along with information letting users know what they can do if the tests show they may be suffering from low self-esteem. Additionally, the ministers/their ministries should find a way of including access to coping skills and resilience delivery via the apps, since lack of coping skills and resilience significantly impacts both abuse and suicide, as well as mental health in general.

Yours sincerely,

Annan Boodram
T h e    C a r i b b e a n    V o i c e