The Tribune

AS suicide continues to be a global public health concern, the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre in Nassau will host a suicide prevention symposium to create awareness of the issue.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), which is celebrated annually on September 10, provides an opportunity to increase public awareness and understanding of suicide and its related factors.

According to the World Health Organisation, suicide is now the 15th leading cause of death around the world claiming more lives than motor vehicle accidents or homicide.

From 2000 to 2013, the Bahamas had a 2.1 per cent rate of suicide, a relatively low rate when compared with other countries around the world. However, every suicide is by definition a preventable tragedy, said the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA).

This year, the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre will commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day 2015 in the form of a symposium under the theme, “Preventing Suicide: Reaching Out and Saving Lives. One Suicide is One too Many”. The symposium will be held at All Saints Anglican Community Centre beginning at 8am.

According to a statement by the PHA, the goals of the symposium are to increase awareness and sensitivity towards suicide in the workplace and the community, assist individuals in being able to identify the signs and symptoms of someone who is suicidal and aid people in being able to make appropriate referrals, and to help equip persons in developing effective institutional action plans.

“This suicidal prevention workshop is designed for family members of the depressed, bereaved individuals of suicide victims, professionals who are involved in suicidal situations as well as those who play a vital role in decreasing suicide or attempted suicide within our society,” the PHA said.

Topics to be covered during the symposium are “Overview of Suicide”, “The Hidden World of Self Harming”, “Suicide: The Role of Law Enforcement”, “Workplace Stress and Its Affect on Mental Health and Suicidal Behaviour”, and “Preventive Measures: Coping Strategies and Conflict Resolution”.