“The time for mourning suicide has passed”,  President David Granger declared while addressing a National Stakeholders Conference on Suicide Prevention on Wednesday.

The President said it is now time for Guyana to take action to prevent further deaths and reverse its reputation as being the “suicide capital of the world”.

Mr. Granger again urged that extensive research be conducted to determine the causes of the high prevalence of suicide cases across the country and take preventative measures.

“I am disturbed, as any other Guyanese, with the high rate of suicide… I hope we leave this forum with better understanding of causes. Happy people don’t kill themselves,” he added.

According to the President, suicide is usually premeditated and not hastily or thoughtlessly done. “It requires careful calculation, a cool head and steady nerves,” he added.

The President said it is for this reason that the country must do research to find the causes before prescribing remedies. He spoke to the spectacle attached to the act of suicide and the media attention it grabs.

“It is copy cat conduct inspired by inclination to imitate a spectacular and staggering death. It aims to attract attention at the national and international level… stories about suicide are widely read. Every suicide is national news, it is international news,” he added.

Mr. Granger said the issue must no longer be treated like a spectacle. “Suicidal person dwell in a wilderness of unhappiness and distress. It is a major public health issue.”

He pointed to the numerous initiatives attempted to address the epidemic over the years and said more must be done.

“Suicide is not the solution, it remains a seductively sparking symbol of an easy exit from depression and despair. Every suicide should be seen as unhappiness,” he added.