CARIBBEAN Voice Incorporated yesterday held a conference on World Suicide Prevention Day at the Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown. 

The theme for World Suicide Day this year is: “Suicide prevention, one connected world.”
The issue of suicide is developing more and more in Guyana; and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guyana has the highest suicide rate in the Caribbean.
Statistics show that Guyana suffers 44.2 suicides per 100,000 persons per year, which is almost double what it was less than 10 years ago.
According to the release, there are about 265 suicides per year in a population of about three quarters of a million persons with the majority of deaths generally occurring in Regions 2 and 6.
Statistics by the WHO also shows that Guyana records about 6625 attempted suicides a year, although the actual number could again be probably higher because of under-reporting.
Because of these statistics, the Caribbean Voice Incorporated is now getting more involved in trying to make the public aware of the impact of suicide and also educating persons of all walks of life about what they can do if they have thoughts of suicide.
Dr. Faith Harding, a member of the Board of Directors of The Caribbean Voice Incorporated, yesterday in her address, stated that Guyana is on the top of list in the world for having the highest suicide rate and also the leading number of teenage pregnancies.
Dr. Harding further said that she is inviting members of the public to assist in the fight against suicide by any means possible.
According to another member of the Board of Directors of The Caribbean Voice Incorporated, who were also present at the conference yesterday, Dr. Dawn Stewart, it is time for Guyanese to take responsibility and help in the fight against Suicide.
She further listed some of the main causes of suicide, including alcoholism and depression.
Vice President of The Caribbean Voice Incorporated, Bibi Ahamad, said that workshops will be conducted throughout the country. The first workshop will be held at Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, on October 10th and 11th, 2014.
And Caribbean Voice Inc. is also planning a national essay competition which will be announced after confirmation by the Minister of Education, Priya Manikchand.

(By Navendra Seoraj)