[www.inewsguyana.com] – Suicide has long been a global problem and more recently Guyana has been plagued by this social ill especially among the youth. Despite its serious implication on society, there has been an ongoing issue between the Ministries of Social Services and Health as to which is responsible for prevention programs.
On Thursday (April 24), senior police officers in the presence of their Commander – in – Chief Donald Ramotar heard of an initiative by the Police Force to address the issue.
While addressing the Annual Police Officers Conference, Police Commissioner (ag) Seelall Persaud revealed that the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Human Services will be collaborating to establish a suicide hotline.
The Top Cop said that the move was one to prevent the instances of suicide in the communities. He did not go into details about the new initiative but related that in the initial stages volunteers will be trained as counselors and will be taking calls coming through the hotline.
During the conference, presentations will be made by a Non-Governmental Organization on the issue of domestic and gender based violence. The presentation would also be followed by another one which focuses on the options available to the police in addressing issues of violence, sexual offences and trafficking in persons. [Leroy Smith]
