Changing the Narrative About Suicide, Saving Belizean Lives

As Belize prepares to observe World Suicide Prevention Day on September tenth, health officials are encouraging Belizeans to check in on one another and start conversations that could save lives. This year’s observance, guided by the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” will feature a Glow Run and Walk in Belmopan, along with a social media campaign promoting hope and community support. Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, says prevention requires a collective effort from families, communities, and healthcare providers.

 

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“I know when I was mayor, every year we used to support by, by raising the flag and to speak on that. We know we have a lot of people suffering in silence. As I always say to people you could be sitting down in a room with friends, but you never might know what one is going through. And so it’s always good to know your surroundings, look at people, talk to people and share with people. Because sometimes one quiet conversation can open up somebody’s situation to you and be able to find help for that individual.”

 

Ivette Quintanilla, Mental Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health & Wellness

“This year, we opted in going more  with social media involvement and involving different stakeholders. So we are speaking about hope and we had different participants speaking on what hope means for them. As well, we are involving stakeholders when it comes to passing a ribbon, symbolizing a ribbon of hope. And that will be coming soon. And we want to share that the responsibility is not only for the Ministry of Health and Wellness when we speak about suicide and prevention when it comes to suicide. So it involves different stakeholders, the community. It involves each and every one of us.” 

 

Belizeans are encouraged to wear yellow on Friday in solidarity with the cause.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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