“Light a Candle” and “Cycle the Globe” during Suicide Prevention Month

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — World Suicide Prevention Month is once again here and, as usual, the Caribbean Voice (TCV) joins with the International Society for Suicide Prevention (IASP) to encourage participation in its two global activities: “Light a Candle” and “Cycle the Globe”.

“Light a Candle” is an initiative that encourages people globally to light a candle, or a diya, near a window on September 10 at 8pm. TCV echoes this call and is urging people everywhere to join in this effort to remember those who died by suicide and to honor those who survived.

“Cycle the Globe” urges individuals to register at https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/cyclearoundtheglobe2021 and between September 10 and October 10 ride a cycle, whether mobile or stationary, as often as possible, then total and enter the distance on the same website. During the cycling, participants can wear the suicide prevention ribbon, which is usually orange, and/or carry a placard with the theme for this year’s Suicide Prevention Month, “Creating Hope Through Action”.

All distances will be totaled and publicized; last year, that amounted to twice around the globe.

TCV kicked off Suicide Prevention Month, observed in September, with the launch of a suicide prevention campaign at Cane Grove, Guyana, from August 30 to September 2 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the government one-stop shop investment agency (GOINVEST), at which individuals were trained as suicide prevention gatekeepers.

The campaign will continue with the trainees distributing 3,000 info leaflets to households to sensitize them about suicide prevention. They will also put up a number of full color, glossy posters in high-traffic areas. This campaign will be taken to other parts of Guyana and other Caribbean nations over the next three years.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, TCV will hold a two-hour virtual panel discussion on “Prevention Suicide” from 6-8pm, New York City time, with panelists drawn from across the Caribbean and diaspora. The panel discussion will be live on TCV’s FB page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/suicideepidemic.

A similar panel discussion to be held in Barbados on the same day will include representatives of TCV on the panel.

Meanwhile, TCV is urging individuals to take photos or videos as they light their candles and post on its FB page or email to caribvoice@aol.com, along with names and address. All photos and videos will be also posted as a collage on TCV’s website caribvoice@aol.com.

During the month, TCV Team Barbados will also launch a Train the Trainer Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers’ program in Barbados in collaboration with the Barbados Youth Advance Corp and other stakeholders.

For information and participation in these various observances, events and activities email caribvoice@aol.com, what’s app 646-461-0574.