The Indian Action Committee (IAC) joins the rest of the global community in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day under the theme, “Connect, Communicate, Care”.
In a statement, the IAC noted that the organisation believed that while the declaration has not been realised, it was still profoundly useful.
The IAC supports the efforts of the Government of Guyana; the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs); religious bodies; trade unions and civil society to mitigate this societal evil which has devastating effect.
IAC commended all those who continue to work to reduce instances of suicide and expressed the hope that much-needed national interventions would be forthcoming.
In 2003, the IAC established its focus on suicide prevention as part of its social work programmes, predominantly in Indo-Guyanese communities.
In light of the spiralling number of suicides and related deaths over the past two years, the IAC made a national call for suicide to be declared a national priority. It is the belief of the IAC that this call will bring the necessary focus and resources to help realise a decline in suicide through education and other related interventions.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 800,000 people die by suicide each year – that’s one person every 40 seconds. Up to 25 times as many again attempt suicide. The tragic ripple effect means that there are many, many more people who have been bereaved by suicide or have been close to someone who has tried to take his or her own life. And this is happening in spite of the fact that suicide is preventable.
This year’s theme, “Connect, Communicate, Care” are at the heart of suicide prevention.
