Othello: Suicide prevention requires everyone’s input

Dr Hazel Othello -
Dr Hazel Othello -

As World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on Thursday, director of the mental health unit at the Ministry of Health Dr Hazel Othello is reminding people that suicide prevention requires a whole of government, whole of society approach. She said the health ministry recognises the urgency of suicide prevention and is, therefore, pleased to join the world in this important observance.

She said TT, in 2018, had a suicide rate of 12.9 per 100,000 population, which ranked 38th in the world, and sixth in the region of the Americas, exceeding the global average of 10.5 per 100,000 and the regional average of 9.3 per 100,000 population. She said, in 2017, suicide was the sixth leading cause of death for the 15- to 49-year age group.

Othello said those statistics indicated a significant need for comprehensive and sustainable intervention as a public health imperative. She said covid19 had further compounded the situation by producing an excess of additional psycho-social stresses which, if not adequately responded to, could increase levels of frustration and hopelessness and predispose more people to death by suicide.

“The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2020 is Working Together to Prevent Suicide. Inter-sectoral collaboration is critical for the success of suicide reduction strategies.

“Collaborators in suicide prevention must, therefore, include healthcare providers, mental health advocacy organisations, social services, emergency services, substance abuse services, employers, researchers, educators, legislators, faith community members and leaders, persons affected by suicidal behaviour and those who have engaged in suicidal behaviour.

She said strategies should include reducing access to means of suicide; responsible reporting by the media; school-based intervention; reducing harmful use of alcohol and other substances; effective accessible mental health and substance abuse service in addition to general health care services; training non-specialised health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behaviour; and follow-up care as well as community support for people who attempt suicide.

Othello challenged citizens to educate themselves and others about suicide prevention, show compassion and care for people in emotional distress, challenge stigma around suicide and help-seeking behaviour and share their experiences if they have been affected by suicidal behaviour.

Othello said the ministry had recently completed a national suicide prevention strategy that would be rolled out in the coming months.

“It intends to reduce the rate of suicide in TT by ten per cent over five years as part of a national response to suicide, which will be implemented in five-year phases, so that’s only the first five years.

“What we’re looking at is producing mechanisms for proper monitoring of suicide statistics as well as addressing specific high-risk groups and meeting their needs efficiently, and reducing the risk factors that predispose people to suicidal behaviour. There is also research going on by several people at the UWI that’s also looking at the mental health impact of covid19.”

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