INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING DEPRESSION, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HELPLINE AT 203.

The Department of Health and Wellness has recorded a decrease in suicide rates for 2018.

According to the Department of Health and Wellness Suicide Report, the figures pointed to a reduction in suicide rates in 2018, compared to previous years.

Saint Lucia recorded three suicides in 2018 compared to 13 in 2017.

Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Julius Gilliard, said: “As we noted between 2015 to 2017, there was an average of about seven to eight suicides for the year, and that was after the National Helpline was started. But in 2017, there was a bump up to 13, followed by a decrease last year to three.”

Dr. Gilliard applauded the suicide prevention efforts of the department, especially with the support of the National Helpline and sensitization activities. The psychiatrist also noted that despite the decrease in the number of suicides, the Department of Health will continue to embark on initiatives to mask significant gains in suicide prevention.

“We plan on doing things a little better this year to continue to sensitize the public as to the presence of the national helpline, and to remind persons that help is available in case they are having suicidal thoughts,” he said. “We as well want to go out a little more to the other communities; because our efforts last year were centered mainly in Castries, apart from the TV ads. So we want to go out into the communities to bring help to persons who may not be able to come to Castries to be a part of the activities.”

Dr. Gilliard is urging anyone whose life or whose loved one’s life is in immediate danger because of suicidal thoughts, to call the national helpline at 203.