From left: Chairman of the Communications Committee Sam Wilkinson; Bishop James Tengatenga who will be the guest speaker at the Anglican Diocesan Church Service on Sunday; and Bishop of Barbados Dr. John Holder, at yesterday's press briefing to announce the upcoming service.
BE on alert
In light of a reported number of suicide incidents that have occurred in recent years, Archbishop of West Indies & Bishop of Barbados The Most Reverend & The Hon Dr. John Holder is calling on Barbadians to be their brother’s keeper and look for common signs that show an individual may be contemplating taking their own life.
Speaking during a press conference, yesterday, to launch the Anglican Diocesan Church Service, scheduled to be held this coming Sunday, at Kensington Oval, Dr. Holder, said he was concerned that particularly young people, were turning to suicide as the answer to solving their problems.
He said while it is always sad when someone reportedly takes their own life, it must be considered there is always a reason they decided they had no other option but to commit the act.
“Each case in terms of suicide will be a peculiar case and the psychiatrist and the psychologist and doctor and social worker will come in and tell you what led this person to that point. It is always sad when it happens.
“If you have a close family and you notice that someone is going through a rough time and is inclined to [commit suicide] you band around that person and give them the support that they need.
“Very often, a person may reach a point where they are thinking that there is nothing else left for me in this world, I could as well escape.
The Bishop said that families, the church, and society as a whole, must be sensitive in picking up the clues that an individual may be suicidal.
In fact, Bishop Holder indicated that adults need to understand the world young people are living in, and should not cause them to endure experiences that could lead them astray.
On May 14, 2015, Shemar Weekes was discovered hanging at his Fryers Well, Checker Hall, St. Lucy home.
Meanwhile, this month began on a tragic note for 16-year-old Chante Yarde’s relatives when they found her hanging at her Mission Road, Brittons Hill, St. Michael home on February 3. She was buried on Wednesday.
“The role we have as adults is to be sensitive to the concerns of our young people, especially our children and ensure that we offer them only the best that would lead them along a wholesome and Christian way,” he said. (AH)