The World Health Organization estimates that close to 800,000 people commit suicide annually—one every forty seconds. Data provided by the local Ministry of Health shows that for the years 2010 to 2018 there were 11, 10, 13, 10, 13, 7, 7, 12 and 3 suicides recorded respectively in Saint Lucia. There have already been five recorded this year. On 10 September each year, World Suicide Prevention Day is recognized globally, with activities geared toward raising awareness and prevention. Last year Saint Lucia joined the rest of the world in observing the day with many activities, including the hosting of free screenings for mental health conditions. However, the jury is still out on whether there will be any similar activities this year.
Dr. Julius Gillard, Consultant Psychiatrist at the National Mental Wellness Centre, told the STAR this week: “The day in itself may not be observed but, closer to World Mental Health Day on October 10, we hope to have some plans in place to observe Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Week. Last year we had it mainly in Castries, so we’re trying to decentralize it a bit so we might have something in Vieux Fort, if possible Soufriere, where persons can have access to mental heath screenings and other mental health paraphernalia, and receive advice as to what to do about mental health issues, including thoughts of suicide.”
Dr. Gillard cited “personal issues” which prevented him from planning this year’s activities. Others cited a shortage of resources. Gillard said a colleague had indicated a willingness to plan the activities in October, “so we’ll see what happens”.
In 2015 the National Health Helpline was launched to provide an avenue for those who require support in overcoming challenging mental or emotional states. Dr. Gillard said that the effectiveness of the helpline is evident in that there has been a reduction in the number of suicides recorded. However, he believes there is still need for more public sensitization. He added that many of the persons he consults with are not aware of the helpline’s existence. “There are people going to school who don’t know about the helpline. That, in my opinion, is unacceptable. All schools should have programmes to sensitize students as to the existence of the helpline,” he said.
Dr. Gillard is concerned that there may be some people who argue that the helpline is ineffective because they believe that once an individual is contemplating suicide, you can’t help them. This, he says, couldn’t be further from the truth, because most persons try to reach out to someone before attempting suicide.
When someone makes a suicide threat to you, said Dr. Gillard, it is your duty to keep that person safe until adequate help is received. His advice is to stay with the person or have a family member do so. A visit to a psychiatrist is recommended. Additionally, a call can be placed to the National Health Helpline where an assessment as to the level of risk of the person will be conducted, to determine whether they are safe or not.
If the person cannot be kept safe, then in-patient treatment at the Mental Wellness Centre will be needed for at least 24 hours.
In Saint Lucia a person who attempts suicide is liable on conviction to imprisonment for two years. Dr. Gillard believes that this law should be amended. He pointed to the inadequacy of the mental health services on-island. “Imprisoning people with mental health issues will only make things worse,” he lamented.
