Ministry of Health – Mental health advocates, organizations, suicide survivors and other individuals joined together in observing World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th.
World Suicide Prevention Day is commemorated with the aim of creating awareness about the ways in which suicide can be prevented.
Community Mental Health Nurse Jana Felix-Edward highlighted the need to recognize warning signs of suicide and knowing how to respond to the situation.
“Listen empathetically, don’t be judgmental about their situation, don’t tell them what you think they should do or what you would do in a situation like that but just be empathetic towards them. It is important to hear them out; don’t leave them when they are telling you they are suicidal or they are thinking about completing suicide, they are feeling hopeless or helpless or they will feel will be a better place without them. Do not leave them alone, always stay with them, and sit with them. You can ask them to call the toll free helpline or you can call the toll free helpline yourself.”
Depression Survivor George St. Croix better known as “Platinum George” spoke about his experience living with depression and finding hope.
“Depression hits you when you are alone; when you by yourself, that is when everything start kicking in. When you among people it is just like a cover and that is why I tell people “an entertainment.” It is like a mask you put on to go on stage but apart from that when you remove that mask you like everybody else; you have your bills and everything else to take care of. For me, how I defeated depression, I put myself in church. I believe it is okay to speak to someone; as a man it is okay to cry, it is okay to express yourself because what happens is the more you hold this pain inside, you destroy yourself, you destroy your own family, you will always have a rage once someone approaches you instead of you take it calm you react with emotions and do not think. This depression affects your child, affects your job.”
Nurse Jana Felix-Edward also called for the participation of Saint Lucians in the light a candle activity.
“It is where they would light a candle at 8pm at night and they would put the candle near a window. We encouraging them to take videos, photos and post it on social media in an effort to recognize Suicide Awareness Month, to remember somebody who has completed suicide and to show support to persons who have survived an attempt, family members who are still going through the loss of an attempt and anybody else who may be considering suicide.”
This year, World Suicide Prevention Day is commemorated under the theme, “Take a minute, Change your life.
