HOW Guyana structures and organises mental health programmes is changing. The decolonisation project envisioned at political independence was more than just about the right of self-determination. After hundreds of years of external rule, the very cultures of a new Guyana had to be changed, especially when those cultures were more in line with the values of colonising powers.

Today, one such restructure is social and institutionally destigmatising mental health, and especially working to address suicide in Guyana. On Thursday in the National Assembly, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony tabled the Suicide Prevention Bill 2022. Once passed into law, the Bill will see a number of new measures, including the creation of a National Suicide Prevention Commission, a National Suicide Prevention Plan, and Suicide Prevention Centres, where support services will be housed for suicide survivors and those contemplating suicide.

All of this, however, will be led by the Commission. The approach, undoubtedly, will be multidimensional and multi-stakeholder in nature, bringing together the voices of technical, advocacy, and community players on one platform to reduce these incidences. This is good governance, in keeping with Article 8 of the Constitution, and President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision for “One Guyana” with better governance.

Outside of creating programme and policy, and monitoring them, the Bill, as it currently stands, gives the Commission latitude to engage lawmakers on “laws that need to be strengthened or brought into force to enable policies and suicide countermeasures to be implemented in furtherance of the objects of this Act”. The Bill also opens space for the involvement of other government agencies, and Guyana’s private sector in suicide countermeasures. There is no secret why this particular body is necessary.

Considering Guyana is still working through destigmatising mental health both socially and institutionally, the Bill gives the Commission the power to oversee the development of the framework for medical treatment for survivors of suicide and those contemplating suicide. The support, however, is not confined to those persons alone. It recognises that the families and communities attached to survivors or persons who contemplate suicide are also in need of support.

As far as media coverage of suicide matters is concerned, it should be recognised that Guyanese media operatives have already adopted measures to limit the details of incidents. This Bill takes that a bit further by imposing a penalty on offenders, liable on summary conviction, to a fine of $150,000 and three months in prison, if reports on suicide are made before a coroner’s declaration. The Bill will also create a legal obligation for reporting, so that survivors or bereaved families and friends have legal protection from interviews.

The proposed legislation mainstreams Guyana’s suicide prevention plans, appoints dedicated policy makers and staff focusing on suicide countermeasures, and also provides for ample resources to be committed to suicide prevention and support to survivors, their families and their communities. But more importantly, the Bill, as is noted about Clause 38 in the document’s explanatory memorandum: “repeals sections 95 and 96 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Cap. 8:01, dealing with procuring or abetting the commission of suicide and attempt to commit suicide. It also repeals section 202 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Cap. 8:01, dealing with attempt to suicide”. These provisions have long been contentious as they criminalise suicide rather than adopting a more support-cantered approach. This wrong will be corrected. The Bill will be read again in the National Assembly, debated, and then passed for the President’s assent.