The Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the accounting firm, Grant Thornton Bahamas have partnered to launch a hotline during the months of December and January, to provide counselling and support to those experiencing difficulties during this time of year.
During a press conference on Friday, Minister of Labour and Social Development Dion Foulkes announced the launch of the hotline as a result “of the increased incidences of suicides and attempted suicides in The Bahamas in the past few years.”
This year alone, there have been many reports of suicide and attempted suicide.
In fact, just last week, a 35-year-old man threw gasoline on himself and set himself afire.
It is no secret then that incidents like these are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society.
As experts attribute depression as a major risk factor, especially during the holidays, the forged partnership between the Ministry of Social Development and the law firm is an effort to help mitigate any suicides or attempted suicides over the holiday season.
“This initiative would operate through the existing hotline 322-2763 operated by the Department of Social Services,” said Mr. Foulkes.
“Twenty one counsellors will man the hotline to receive calls from people who feel depressed or are concerned about what is going on in their lives.”
The 21 trained counsellors will be supported by the Department of Social Services as well as Dr. Kirk Christie, psychiatrist at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.
They will be provided with cell phones specifically for answering calls from the hotline and Grant Thornton will provide a weekly stipend to the counsellors.
“What we are doing as a result of discussions is simply expanding the existing hotline” said managing director of Grant Thornton, Paul Gomez.
While the hotline has been in existence for quite a while, officials are hoping to revamp the whole process.
“All we are doing is simply expanding what is already in existence,” he said.
Dr. Christie said his department sees many cases of failed suicide attempts and parasuicide – suicide attempts or gestures of self-harm where there is no actual intent to go through with it.
“There are stress related issues related to the Christmas holiday season, such as persons who may have lost a loved one during this period or just before the holiday and these are all precipitating factors which cause persons to become depressed,” said Dr. Christie.
He further said that in 60-70 per cent of completed suicide those persons have underlying major depressive disorders.
Officials say that after the two-month period, an assessment of the initiative will be conducted to help determine if it should be continued.
It was also announced that BTC has committed to help introduce a national hotline that would be a 1-300 number and would be made available by the Department of Social Services.
Individuals who may be experiencing difficulties and are in need of counselling or support are asked to call the hotline number at 322-2763.
