Thursday, May 22, 2025
Village Voice News
[adning id="37476"]
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Editorial
  • Letters
  • Global
  • Columns
    • Eye On Guyana
    • Hindsight
    • Lincoln Lewis Speaks
    • Future Notes
    • Blackout
    • From The Desk of Roysdale Forde SC
    • Diplomatic Speak
    • Mark’s Take
    • In the village
    • Mind Your Business
    • Bad & Bold
    • The Voice of Labour
    • The Herbal Section
    • Politics 101 with Dr. David Hinds
    • Talking Dollars & Making Sense
    • Book Review 
  • Education & Technology
  • E-Paper
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Editorial
  • Letters
  • Global
  • Columns
    • Eye On Guyana
    • Hindsight
    • Lincoln Lewis Speaks
    • Future Notes
    • Blackout
    • From The Desk of Roysdale Forde SC
    • Diplomatic Speak
    • Mark’s Take
    • In the village
    • Mind Your Business
    • Bad & Bold
    • The Voice of Labour
    • The Herbal Section
    • Politics 101 with Dr. David Hinds
    • Talking Dollars & Making Sense
    • Book Review 
  • Education & Technology
  • E-Paper
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Village Voice News
No Result
View All Result
Home Letters

The DV hotline is manned by trained personnel 

Staff Reporter by Staff Reporter
March 22, 2021
in Letters
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Dear Editor

Some years ago requests were made by a local NGO for the Suicide Helpline to publicly release figures to not only support its contention that the helpline was being widely accessed but also to shore up citizens confidence in the helpline and further drive its usage.

READ ALSO

Another glaring example of Government’s lack of accountability and transparency

May 31st, People’s Deadline for an Announcement on a PNC/R and AFC Coalition

The request was flatly rejected. However, the recent release of date for use of the Domestic Violence (DV) hotline corroborates the viability of such a request.

The DV hotline is manned by trained personnel and connected with the police so that victims can be quickly reached in any part of Guyana and this too is something local NGOs and activists have been agitating for with respect to the Suicide Helpline. And, as the recent public release and analysis of date reveals, not only the DV Hotline being widely accessed, but public confidence seems to be growing in its efficacy. On the other hand, feedback from many who had accessed the Suicide Helpline has been far from positive and the fact that a number of persons over the years have vehemently refused to use the Suicide Helpline when referred to by a local NGO only highlights the lack of public confidence in that helpline.

So as a suicide-prevention advocate and activist may I again make the following suggestions:

v That the Suicide Helpline immediately release figures as the DV Hotline did and continue to periodically so do;

v That information on training of phone operators, to include emphatic communication, be made public as the DV Hotline did;

v That phone operators also be trained in immediate steps to mitigate the effects of poisoning as this would increase the chances of recovery for those who ingest poisons;

v That the Suicide Helpline be connected with the police nationally (who must also be sensitized) to ensure rapid response with respect to calls about suicide ideation or even attempted suicide;

v That the Suicide Helpline be connected with counselors across Guyana so that immediate clinical professional counseling (as against so called counselors who create more damage and even suicide fatalities) can be offered to callers who need same, especially since lives would be at stake;

v That, like the DV Hotline, the Suicide Helpline also engage in ongoing and extensive promotions so that citizens across Guyana can know what the numbers are and be able to quickly call when the need arises;

v That, the Suicide Helpline administrators clearly and consistently get the message out there that suicide ideation is never a joke and must always be taken seriously even if the individual has expressed such ideation one hundred times. Far too often loved ones of suicide victims say they thought the victim was joking because he/she had always said he/she would take his/her life.

Sincerely

Annan Boodram

ShareTweetSendShareSend

Related Posts

Letters

Another glaring example of Government’s lack of accountability and transparency

by Admin
May 22, 2025

Dear Editor, I am compelled to bring a matter of grave concern to the people of Guyana. Saturday, May 24,...

Read moreDetails
Letters

May 31st, People’s Deadline for an Announcement on a PNC/R and AFC Coalition

by Admin
May 22, 2025

Dear Editor,   It has been several months since the People’s National Congress/Reform and the Alliance For Change have  been in...

Read moreDetails
Letters

With elections approaching gov’t pulling out all stops to entice voters

by Admin
May 21, 2025

Dear Editor, I have given deep thought to the latest announcement by President Irfaan Ali, made on Sunday, May 18,...

Read moreDetails
Next Post

Figueira writes cricket ombudsman about dubious register of cricket clubs in Region 10 


EDITOR'S PICK

MNR condemns illegal mining activity at Micobie

November 16, 2020
google image

Jagdeo: Youth Must Be Trained for Digital Transition, Tech to Improve Public Services

May 9, 2025
MP, Amanza Walton-Desir

‘Walton throws hat in the ring’

October 27, 2021
Election Bureau Director Albert L. Gricoski, left, opens provisional ballots alongside election bureau staff Christine Marmas, right, while poll watchers observe from behind at the Schuylkill County Election Bureau in Pottsville, Pa. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (Lindsey Shuey/The Republican-Herald via AP)

Trump campaign retreats from key claim in Pennsylvania suit

November 16, 2020

© 2024 Village Voice

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Editorial
  • Letters
  • Global
  • Columns
    • Eye On Guyana
    • Hindsight
    • Lincoln Lewis Speaks
    • Future Notes
    • Blackout
    • From The Desk of Roysdale Forde SC
    • Diplomatic Speak
    • Mark’s Take
    • In the village
    • Mind Your Business
    • Bad & Bold
    • The Voice of Labour
    • The Herbal Section
    • Politics 101 with Dr. David Hinds
    • Talking Dollars & Making Sense
    • Book Review 
  • Education & Technology
  • E-Paper
  • Contact Us

© 2024 Village Voice