Stabroek News
January 12, 2016
The villages of Anna Regina and Adventure, Essequibo Coast have been thrown into shock as two persons tragically took their own lives last week.
This newspaper was told that Kaimwattee Persaud called Kavita of Anna Regina and a former employee of the Guyana Elections Commission ingested a poisonous substance after having an argument with her spouse.
The woman was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where she later succumbed.
Meanwhile, the family of 23-year-old Akel Shorland of Adventure, Essequibo Coast are still trying to come to grips with his death.
When contacted by this newspaper, the mother of the man, Marcelle Shorland said that she is shaken by the death of her only son and would not be able to say why he committed the act.
He too ingested a poisonous substance and died a few days later at the Suddie Public Hospital.
Suicide has become a national crisis and President David Granger recently held an emergency meeting of ministers on it after a double suicide in Berbice.
Regional Chairman Davenand Ramdatt when contacted by this newspaper yesterday said that he is deeply saddened by the fact that Region Two is plagued with so many cases of suicide.
"I visited the Suddie Public Hospital today (yesterday) along with the regional health officer and there were five young people at the hospital who attempted suicide. They all appeared to be between the ages of 15 to 35.
"Since I came into office, I established a working group on suicide. This however requires stakeholders' participation and the time has come for more sound works in the field of psychology. We have no psychologist in the region and this should not be so. Right now I'm meeting with the regional councillors and we have already raised the issue and it is still open for further discussion.
"It is indeed a very sad situation since 11 suicide cases have been recorded in Region Two for this year so that means that each day, someone ended their life."