The Story within the Story…By Leonard GildarieMy family and relatives believe that I write too many personal things about myself.They are aghast that I could be so casual about it. At one point in time,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, being a very conservative fellow, itLeonard Gildariewould have been true that I would not even contemplate sharing details. But time changes everything.It is difficult to write and be emotionally detached, especially if you are passionate about particular issues. I have seen and heard so many things that sometimes I wonder how I will be able to cope.I read yesterday in Kaieteur News that 54 persons were murdered for this year…11 of them were women. Earlier last week, I got a call from a medical worker from Essequibo coast,Cheap Authentic Jerseys, Region Two. He wanted me to check the number of suicides and suicide attempts for the year. He intimated that it has reached worrisome proportions. From rice farmers to students, the hospitals in that region have been recording some alarming numbers. I was quoted a figure of about 70 persons dying over the last year. However, I can’t confirm. It seems too high.What I do know is that even one death from suicide is too much. We just cannot afford to lose our people unnaturally like this. Surely suicide cannot be right. What are we doing to ourselves? What is happening to this lovely land of ours? Why are we allowing it by staying silent?I choose to talk about suicide because my family has been rocked by something that happened over a year ago. It will forever be with me. I keep asking myself why.Now finally, I have managed to summon up a little courage to talk about it. It is my sincere hope that no family will ever have to go through the pain of losing a loved one like this.A close family member died after ingesting what is known as carbon tablet (rat poison). Because of how casual we are in Guyana with regards to enforcement, it is easy to pick up this deadly tablet almost everywhere.I saw her die within a few hours as doctors fought to stabilize her systems. Her organs started shutting down one by one. To watch helplessly and not being able to do anything has left a permanent scar.For those who have experienced a loss like this, it is hard to bring closure.You lie awake at nights asking what would have happened had you reached out. You feel anger at others for allowing it.There are always warning signs. ?Someone contemplating suicide always sends signals. They will complain. They will tell someone of being frustrated. They will talk of suicide.In our case, the frustration was very much there. Nobody believed that the ultimate step would be taken.I recalled when Berbice, and we are talking only a couple years ago,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, was known for its high rate of suicide. With farming a major part of the activities in the Ancient County, it had the notoriety of being the suicide capital of Guyana.At Kaieteur News, a decision was taken not to report on suicide,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, because it was the widely felt view that it would encourage copycats.The access to chemicals made “drinking poison” as the most prevalent way to commit suicide. It is easily available. Government had attempted to stem to rate,Cheap China Jerseys, holding workshops and even visiting the areas, like Black Bush Polder that was most prone to suicides. Is it enough?I don’t believe that Government and the Ministry of Human Services or Ministry of Health alone can tackle this issue. What happened to our religious institutions and leaders? Why am I not seeing more public service advertisements and even media entities picking up on this?Because of our own daily activities, we fail to listen to the cries. It is time we stop taking for granted that it is the other person’s job to address the situation. We can do something too.With one week left for general elections, I ask that we stand proud as a people known for our hospitality and peace. We will have to choose a party or coalition of our choice. The day after the results, we will have to start working again to get Guyana back on track. Let us not lose sight of that.Please do enjoy the week and those who are celebrating Indian Arrival Day on Tuesday,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, it would be a good time to reflect on how far we have come.