Dear Editor,
SUICIDE Prevention Month is observed globally in September each year, while September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day.  The International Association for Suicide Prevention and The Caribbean Voice, as well as many national organisations, suggest ways in which this month can be observed. This year’s initiatives include:

* Lighting of a Candle near a window at 8:00pm on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, to show support for suicide prevention and to remember those lost to suicide, an annual initiative of the International Society for Suicide Prevention;
* Cycle the Globe, a call for people to show their support for suicide prevention by cycling from September 10 to October 10 and logging in their distances on a specially set up website (https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/CycleAroundtheGlobe2022), an annual initiative of the International Society for Suicide Prevention; and
* Encourage prevention participation by tweeting and messaging using the hashtag #BE THERE. The following two tweets/messages are suggested to be posted and shared on all social media platforms:  Five minutes of your time can save a life #BE THERE and Suicide prevention is everybody’s business #BE THERE
Posting and sharing the following messages:
* Urging survivors to speak out via videos posted online, interviews with the media or at specially organised events.
* NGOs can organise candlelight vigils and panel discussions, write letters to the media.
* Governments are urged to disseminate sensitisation and prevention information via all available platforms, nationally distribute info leaflets and flyers, put up posters at high-traffic areas and erect billboards, especially addressing myths and misinformation and indicating how the average citizen can be involved in suicide prevention and  what resources are available to help. As well, governments should promote the ‘Light A Candle’ initiative and inform the people via all available platforms, about resources and help for people who are or may become suicidal, struggling with challenges, feeling depressed or anxious, being bullied or feeling helpless, or hopeless or feeling like giving up.
* As well, globally, governments are urged not to waste scarce resources on symbolic, photo op events and instead employ such resources to develop real awareness and build prevention scope within communities across each nation. In this respect, collaboration with or empowering NGOs and community-based organisations are highly recommended
* Businesses should organise workshops and seminars for their workers, focusing on self-esteem, handling challenges, dealing with depression and anxiety, and getting help for suicide ideation. Business should also explore setting up a safe, comfortable, confidential, non-judgmental mechanism so workers can reach out for help and to help workers source such help.
* Advocates and activists should step up their work to decriminalise suicide where that has not been done; lobby for counsellors in schools and psych wards and psychologists in all hospitals and updated legislation that must include necessary language changes, appropriate media coverage of suicide with monitoring to ensure same and setting up of helplines and hotlines manned by trained personnel with the capacity to refer all who need help to trained psychologists. Also, lobby for training of suicide-prevention lay counsellors/first responders in communities across the nation.
Please contact The Caribbean voice at caribvoice@aol.com or 646-461-0574 – cell and what’s app.

Yours sincerely,
Annan Boodram
The Caribbean Voice