Men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women…‘Stop male suicide event held at Buxton’

Nov 22, 2016 News

“Men are three times at greater risk of suicide than women.”
This is according to information compiled by the National Suicide Prevention Plan 2015–2020 launched by the Ministry of Public Health.
According to the information, men aged 20-49 years are now the group with the highest suicide rate. Most suicides are among men under 50 years.
Factors associated with suicide in men include depression; family and relationship problems including marital breakup and divorce, alcohol or drug misuse; unemployment; impulsive emotional reaction; social isolation; lack of family support; physical illness and low self-esteem.
The data was released by the Gender Affairs Bureau(GAB) of the Ministry at an International Men’s Day event over the weekend.
The Gender Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Social Protection in collaboration with the Ambassadors of Buxton Development Association held its annual International Men’s Day programme under the theme “Stop Male Suicide – Let the Men Speak”.
The event held at the Tipperary Hall in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, saw a large contingent of men in attendance. The programme featured cultural presentations from representatives of the Hindu, Muslim and Christians, remarks from Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, Pastor Diego Alphonso of the GAB and Deputy Permanent Secretary, (P.S) of the Ministry of Social Protection, Adrian Ramrattan.
In his remarks, Ramrattan, noted that the Ministry of Social Protection, through the GAB is extremely pleased to collaborate with the “Ambassadors of Buxton Development Association” on the hosting of this event to mark International Men’s Day 2016 which is being celebrated in over 60 countries.
He said that International Men’s Day allows for people of the world to set aside some time to focus on men’s and boy’s health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.
“The occasion is for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions; in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them,” he added.
Given the significant rate of suicide among males worldwide, the Deputy Permanent Secretary explained that the programme is not about suicide in particular, but it is about letting men know that when they decide to speak that there are people, who are listening and will take them seriously.
There was also a “Man Talk” and a “Let the Men Speak” segment session facilitated by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Mark Constantine.
He encouraged the gathering of men to “speak about their accomplishments and disappointments.”
”It is about time, too, that society be willing to listen to men.
Be prepared to listen because men are three times more likely to commit suicide than our women. Men at the prime of their lives, when they can be most productive find it difficult to cope with their problems and kill themselves.
”I am talking about the 20 – 49 year age group. This group has the highest suicide rate.”
Pastor Diego Alphonso, of the Gender Affairs Bureau, in his welcoming remarks outlined the importance the theme “Stop Male Suicide – Let The Men Speak” in the context of Guyana, pointing out that the local statistics show the worrying trend of males committing suicide more than the females.
He also pointed out that it’s very important for males to speak out whenever something worries them rather to bottle it up inside which could then lead to suicide or violence.
“We men feel depressed, we often feel socially isolated from the very families many of us work extremely hard to support; many conscientious and family-oriented men lack backing from their families; many are grieving silently, perpetually.
We often hide the terror we feel inside by projecting an external bravado. We are pained too when our marriages collapse,” he stated.

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