radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
More people are suicidal and are in desperate need of help since the pandemic says chairperson of Lifeline Lucy Gabriel.
She was speaking in response to a statement by Professor of Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies Dr Gerard Hutchinson who said more people were inflicting self-harm since the start of the pandemic.
In an interview, Gabriel confirmed that Lifeline was receiving an increased number of suicidal calls, the non-governmental organisation provides a 24-hour service and assesses the level of suicidal risks from one to ten.
“There has been an increase in calls. Not only the number but the suicide risk. In the past, if we got one out of 10 at high risk of suicide but now it is nine out of 10,” she added.
Gabriel said the people who reach for help are only about ten per cent of the ones who have suicidal tendencies.
“We are very aware that due to limited knowledge of the service we receive about ten per cent of the calls that we should. This is shown dramatically whenever someone is publicly reported to have died by suicide,” she added.
Asked whether Lifeline has received any additional resources, Gabriel said, “Lifeline is very grateful to the private citizens and the private sector organisations who have assisted us. We operate with less than one cent in the dollars needed to supply a 24/7 service. It has nevertheless been supplied throughout the pandemic. It is badly needed,” she explained.
Hutchinson has made a public appeal to assist organisations like Lifeline saying, “More community outreach, preventive mental health approaches, less reliance on medication and the medical/hospitalisation model though that remains very necessary.”
He noted that there should be a holistic approach to mental health incorporating physical health.
“More attention to populations like the homeless, those imprisoned, children and adolescents and the elderly,” he added.
Contacted for comment, Minister of Social Development Donna Cox said 4,767 received counselling and psychosocial support from the ministry last year.
“For each person who dies by suicide, more than 20 others attempt suicide. Suicide is likely under-reported due to stigma, criminalisation and weak surveillance systems,” she added.
Through the National Family Services Division, Cox said the ministry continues to provide support to families throughout T&T empowering them to lead productive and healthy lifestyles.
“Trained and experienced Social Workers attached to the Division continue to provide free counselling and psychosocial support to vulnerable families who may require intervention to help them cope and manage crises, and improve their overall quality of life,” she added.
Given the mental strain experienced by several families due to pandemic stress, grief caused by sudden death and increased levels of suicide ideations, domestic violence, as well as other stress-related issues which may have emanated from the pandemic, Cox said the ministry has been supporting those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or grief.
