GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) is calling for stronger action to prevent suicide and protect mental health across the Caribbean Community (Caricom), saying greater attention must be paid to isolation, stigma and discrimination.

PANCAP made the call on Thursday, World Suicide Prevention Day, observed this year under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”

The organisation said suicide remains a serious public health concern across the Americas and the Caribbean.

According to 2021 data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago recorded some of the highest age-standardised suicide mortality rates in the Americas, at 26.4, 22.4 and 11.6 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively.

PANCAP said the figures demonstrate that suicide prevention must extend beyond the health sector, with families, communities, schools, workplaces, faith-based organisations, civil society and governments all having a role to play.

It said World Suicide Prevention Day also provides an opportunity to address the continuing impact of HIV-related stigma and discrimination on mental health and well-being.

PANCAP noted that HIV is now a manageable chronic health condition when people have access to effective diagnosis, treatment and care. However, people living with HIV continue to face stigma, discrimination, rejection and social exclusion despite advances in prevention and treatment.

The organisation said evidence from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that HIV-related stigma and discrimination can negatively affect mental health and quality of life, and discourage people from accessing HIV testing, prevention, treatment and care.

PANCAP also said social exclusion, discrimination, isolation and inadequate social support are recognised factors that can contribute to vulnerability to suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, Dr Wendy Telgt-Emanuelson, said compassion and inclusion must form part of the regional HIV response.

“Suicide prevention is about protecting life, dignity and hope. No person living with HIV should feel rejected or isolated because of their status,” she said.

“We must replace stigma with understanding, discrimination with inclusion, and isolation with compassion. Every life has value, and no one should have to face difficult moments alone.”

PANCAP is also encouraging people across CARICOM to become better informed about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

It said accurate information can help people make informed sexual health choices, access HIV and STI testing, use available prevention options and seek treatment when needed.

PANCAP is urging the region to replace fear with facts, stigma with understanding, discrimination with inclusion and isolation with connection.