APNU blames Gov’t for suicide situation, but only prepared to offer “suggestions”

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is blaming the government for the current state of the suicide situation in Guyana and is calling for more to be done to curb the issue.

However, while the APNU is casting blame, the Party is not prepared to provide any assistance in this regard, except to make “suggestions” to the government.

This is according to APNU Parliamentarian, Dr George Norton, who at a press conference this morning (Friday September 6) provided statistics on the suicide rate for the years 1995, 1999 and 2007.

Dr. Norton, however, could not give the most recent statistics. Instead, he went on to quote the number of suicides in Region 2.

When asked what suggestions the Party has for government in order to curb the situation, Dr Norton said that more psychiatrists need to be trained in Guyana. This, the APNU believes will greatly reduce the number of suicides in the country.

The APNU is of the opinion that the establishment of a National Committee for Suicide Prevention six years ago has failed to achieve its objectives. World Suicide Prevention Day will be observed on September 10.