“Attempted Suicide Should Not Be Criminalized”

Advertisement

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The conversation around mental health awareness among teens is a growing concern following two recent suicide attempts over the past weekend, involving a 13-year-old girl in Grand Bahama and an 18-year-old woman in Nicholls Town.

And it’s during times of struggle, when others often have to step in to offer support, including members of the religious community.

On the sidelines of the “Love Your Neighbor” event today at the Church of God of Prophecy on East Street, Bishop Dr. Woodley Thompson shares how they are helping to ensure those struggling with suicidal thoughts are able to receive the support they need.

Dr. Woodley Thompson – Bishop, Church of God of Prophecy East Street

“We have partnered with the Urban Renewal community and they have, along with us, put on a seminar for suicides to help folks come in and be properly trained. This was both civic persons as well as religious individuals, so if that situation arises, they’re prepared with the proper tools to address those situations.”

But Bahamas Crisis Centre Administrator Cleopatra Christie notes that suicide attempts reveal deeper struggles, adding that the law cannot legislate the conditions of the heart and mind.

Cleopatra Christie – Administrator, Bahamas Crisis Centre

“We at the Crisis Centre believe strongly that suicide ideation is a serious thing and it should not be decriminalized and it should not be criminalized. We are seeking to educate and make our public aware that suicide usually is committed by persons who are depressed, who have relationship problems, who have mental problems. It’s a mental crisis.”

She says clinicians and therapists like those at the Crisis Centre are focused on guiding people toward proper care and challenging how the law responds to those in crisis.

Cleopatra Christie – Administrator, Bahamas Crisis Centre

“And going to court and being sentenced to imprisonment or a fine is really not the way to deal with it. So what we at the Crisis Centre are doing, we are now doing the research so that we could approach the government and ask them to look at decriminalizing the offense of attempted suicide. It’s only attempted suicide because if it’s suicide, it means that you’re dead. So it’s attempted suicide.”

Christie says the centre is working closely with community partners to expand the conversation.

Together, they’re planning a series of events next month to spotlight Suicide Awareness Month.