Guyana Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

The Guyana Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training aims to (1) increase knowledge about suicide, depression, and trauma, (2) address beliefs and attitudes about suicide and mental illness, (3) reduce reluctance to intervene and stigma of mental illness, and (4) increase self-efficacy and skills to intervene with a person at risk of suicide in Guyana. Additionally, workshop attendees are trained and certified to conduct of the evidence-based Columbia Protocol — also known as the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C‐SSRS) and related suicide safety planning.

Learn more about our previous trainings

Training Opportunities

Upcoming Training

July 2023
Dates and times to be announced

Description: FREE Online 4-Day Training Series to Prevent Suicide and Promote Healing in Guyana.

  • Day 1: increase knowledge about suicide, depression, and trauma in Guyana
  • Day 2: address attitudes about suicide and mental illness
  • Day 3: develop skills to intervene with persons at risk of suicide
  • Day 4: enhance habits of positivity, self-compassion, and healing

Attendance: This is a 4-part series, 3-hours per day for anyone interested in learning skills to intervene in suicide crisis among Guyanese individuals. You can attend one or more days at your discretion.

Cost: Free!

Registration: [Closed]

Previous Training

  • July 12-15, 2022
  • July 30-31, 2019
  • July 25-27, 2018

Resources

Suicide Resources

Guyana Inter-agency Suicide Prevention

Helpline:

223-0001
223-0009
600-7896
623-4444

Email: guyagency@yahoo.com
BBM PINS: 2BE55649, 2BE56020
Twitter: guyanaagency
WhatsApp: 600-7896; 623-4444


Mental Health Resources

  • Nadine Ramsarran We Care Holistic Psychotherapy Services: 647-0985
  • Dr. Moses John Roderique, Dr. MJR’s Consultancy: +592-675-2448, mosesjohnroderique@gmail.com
  • Mrs Sharon Dyall, Guiding Minds Therapy: 667-0330
  • Anju Vivekananda, Inner Peace Psychotherapy and Counselling Services: 613-9255, innerpeacegy@gmail.com
  • Solutions Counseling Services: 643-2979
  • Tull Clinical Psychotherapy Services: 697-5528
  • Ministry of Human Services and Social Security Hotline Services: 914
  • ASPIRE Youth Network: aspireyngy@gmail.com
  • Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination: 225-7283; WhatsApp: +592-600-5124
  • Bhiro Harry, Psychiatrist at Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital: 671-1878*
  • Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association: 225-6493*
  • Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation: 226-7210; 226-7214; 226-7219; 227-2240*
  • Ministry of Public Health (Mental Health Unit): Hotline: 655-SAFE (7233); 226-1407; 226-7400

Trauma Resources

  • Michelle Amsterdam, Trauma Therapist: 676-8557*
  • Corriverton Domestic Violence Counselling Centre: 333-3887*
  • Help and Shelter: 225-4731; 227-8353; 227-3454; www.hands.org.gy*
  • Ministry of Social Protection (Childcare and Protection Agency): 227-0138; 225-6545; 227-0979*
  • Ministry of Social Protection (Probation and Social Services Department): 231-6556*

Addiction/Substance Abuse Resources

  • Phoenix Recovery Project: 220-6825
  • Al-Anon: 233-5844; 600-0832

*May not be in service

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda Support and Referral Centre: 1268-463-5555
letsconnectproject.com/lifelines/antiguaandbarbuda

Barbados

Samaritans of Barbados Hotline: 246-429-9999
E-mail Helpline: samaritansbdos@yahoo.com 
Emergency/Ambulance Services Hotline: 511 
Crisis Center Hotline: 246-435-6134 

Brazil

Centro de Valorização da Vida (CVV): www.cvv.org.br; blog.opencounseling.com/hotlines-br
AMA National Association: 90035191
CVV Sao Paulo National Association: 55-11-31514109
CVV – Belém: 91-3223-0074
CVV – Belo Horizonte: 31-334-4111
CVV – Cuiaba: 65- 321- 4111
CVV – Rio De Janeiro: 21- 233-9191 
CVV – Copacabana: 21- 236- 0536

Cayman Islands 

Crisis Center Hotline: 345-943-2422 
Other Hotlines and Resources: alexpantonfoundation.ky/emergency-contacts

Curaçao (Netherlands)

ggz.cw/nl

Dominica

Emergency Hotline: 999 

Dominican Republic

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 
Línea Familiar Contigo (emotional support for children/adolescents): 809-636-3507

Grenada

Telephone: 911
Telephone: 439-1231

Haiti

1-800-273-8255 (free and confidential support, 24/7)
Haiti Emergency Hotline: 114
Asistans Sikolojik an IJANS: 2919-9000

Jamaica

Hotline: 1-888-429-KARE (5273)
Hotline: 876-930-1152

Saint Kitts and Nevis

National Suicide Prevention Line: 800-273-8255
Social Emergency and Crisis Center: 09-8392-4005

Saint Lucia 

Suicide Hotline: 203 National Mental Wellness Center: 758-452-7393 
St Lucia Crisis Centre: 1-758-453-1521

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suicide Hotline: 9784-456-1044
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Emergency Hotline: 999 and 911

Sint Maarten

Crisis Line: 520-5556
Other Services: www.mhf.sx/care/crisis-intervention-5

Suriname

Suriname Emergency Hotline Telephone: 112

Trinidad and Tobago 

Hotlines and Resources: www.findcarett.com/helplines
Lifeline: 800-5588; 866-5433; 220-3636
Hotline: 868-645-2800; 868-645-6616

Venezuela

Telefono de la Esperanza: 0241-8433308

Shaw, C., Stuart, J., Thomas, T., and Kõlves, K. (2022). Suicidal behaviour and ideation in Guyana: A systematic literature review. The Lancet Regional Health-Americas, 11, 100253.

Ministry of Public Health – Guyana (2014). National Mental Health Action Plan: 2015-2020. Pan American Organization and World Health Organization. p19-24.

Arora, P. G., and Persaud, S. (2020). Suicide among Guyanese youth: Barriers to mental health help-seeking and recommendations for suicide prevention. International Journal of School and Educational Psychology, 8(sup1), 133-145.

Arora, P. G., Persaud, S., and Parr, K. (2020). Risk and protective factors for suicide among Guyanese youth: Youth and stakeholder perspectives. International journal of psychology, 55(4), 618-628.

Groh, C. J., Anthony, M., and Gash, J. (2018). The aftermath of suicide: a qualitative study with Guyanese families. Archives of psychiatric nursing, 32(3), 469-474.

Johnson, E. J. (2019). An exploratory research on police officers role to reduce adolescents suicide in Guyana. Vulnerable children and youth studies, 14(2), 129-141.

Denton, E. G. D. (2021). Community-based participatory research: Suicide prevention for youth at highest risk in Guyana. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 51(2), 189-196.

Persaud, S., Rosenthal, L., and Arora, P. G. (2019). Culturally informed gatekeeper training for youth suicide prevention in Guyana: A pilot examination. School Psychology International, 40(6), 624-640.

Persaud, S. (2019). Initial examination of a culturally-informed gatekeeper training for youth suicide prevention in Guyana. Pace University.

Research

We are currently investigating the effectiveness of the suicide prevention training. We are also interested in examining individual and systemic factors impacting suicide rates in Guyana and robust, culturally tailored interventions to reduce suicide risk. If you are interested in collaborating on studies, please reach out to us at guyanagatekeeper@gmail.com with subject line “Guyana Research Collaboration.”