PNP Patriots urges government to implement national suicide prevention strategy

September 13, 2026

The government is being called on to implement a national suicide prevention strategy.

The strategy is among 7 recommendations, made by the People’s National Party’s young professional arm, The Patriots, as part of a national policy response.

PNP Patriots president Paul Blake said the policy response also includes a national suicide and self harm surveillance system.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BLAKE-SUICIDE-1.mp3

Mr. Blake highlighted a gender disparity, with men accounting for the majority of suicides.

This he says requires a targeted men’s mental health programme.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BLAKE-SUICIDE-2.mp3

Other recommendations are for, school based intervention, parish level crisis response, access to secure environments, as well as, increased number of health care professionals in the public system.

World Suicide Prevention Day was observed on Thursday, under the theme: “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action, “Start the Conversation”.