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Published: Sept. 13, 2023, 11:08 a.m.

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On September 10th, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, joined with the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognizing and supporting World Suicide Prevention Day, under the theme \\u201cCreating Hope Through Action\\u201d. This theme has been in use from 2021-2023, as a call for action for stronger decision making practices and an understanding that our actions can inspire hope, and increase measures that prevent suicide.

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We at the Ministry of Health believe that education plays a big part in promoting suicide prevention. Having adequate knowledge can assist with debunking the myths of suicide, promoting help seeking behaviours and can increase resilience among our people.

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Suicide is preventable and no one should have to go through life\\u2019s struggles alone. Throughout the month of September, our programmes and activities will place heavy focus on suicide survivors, prevention and awareness. Suicide continues to be a serious Public Health concern in St. Lucia impacting men in particular. In 2022, 8 men died by suicide and 4 men to date in 2023. That is far too many. Suicide is preventable and the devastating effects involves not only the immediate family but the community and island by extension.

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In an attempt to address this Public Health and societal concern, the following strategies are being implemented.

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\\u2022\\tCreating protective environments

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\\u2022\\tImproving access to suicide care

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\\u2022\\tPromoting healthy connections

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\\u2022\\tTeaching coping and problem-solving skills

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\\u2022\\tIdentifying and supporting people at risk

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\\u2022\\tLessening harms and preventing future risk.

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Access to mental health care has been improved with the integration of mental health services into the primary health care services. In 2019, 28 primary health care personnel were trained in the Mental Health Gap Action Program commonly called the mhGAP. This program is specially designed to build capacity to bridge the gap in mental health services by training health care providers and other community members, to deliver psychosocial services relating to prevention, early detection and treatment to individuals needing such care.

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Access to mental health care has been improved with the integration of mental health services into the primary health care services. In 2019, 28 primary health care personnel were trained in the Mental Health Gap Action Program commonly called the mhGAP. This program is specially designed to build capacity to bridge the gap in mental health services by training health care providers and other community members, to deliver psychosocial services relating to prevention, early detection and treatment to individuals needing such care.

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We must promote dialogue surrounding mental health, suicide and suicide ideation. We encourage the various organizations to help highlight the problem of suicide and advocate its prevention. A call goes out to the general public to be educated about suicide prevention, to know the signs and symptoms and the ways we can offer help to others. We implore the media to play their part in the education on suicide prevention and to be more responsible in their reporting of suicides. If we learn about suicide and the signs to look for, we can help save lives and prevent its occurrence.

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Through our actions we can create hope.

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