Committee set to drive agenda against suicide
Because of the alarming number of suicides in Mossel Bay, the most recent being that of an 11-year-old girl, concerned members of the community took action this week, not only to address the problem, but to find solutions to curb this disturbing trend.
On the initiative of Lenise Hendricks, a former stalwart in education, a group of concerned community members and stakeholders including Child Welfare and the Da Gamaskop police, met Avril Harding, former Liberal Democrats Member of Parliament and Cameron Dugmore, Member of the Provincial Legislature and former Western Cape Minister of Education, at Portao Diaz Hotel on Tuesday.
Harding, born and bred in Mossel Bay, said in an interview on Eden FM following the meeting, that his connection with Mossel Bay qualified him as a roleplayer who would always be concerned for the community in the town.
He said the spate of suicides in Mossel Bay was unacceptable.
“We need to bring the message across that suicide is not a solution.” H would assist the community in seeking and finding help from trusted sources. “We are coming back to the community soon to present it with suitable support programmes.”
Calling on the community
The objective of the meeting was partially to press Harding and Dugmore for external support for existing structures, but also to appoint a local steering committee.
The steering committee, currently chaired by Dexter Brinkhuis, is arranging follow-up meetings, during which the establishment of a formal structure will be discussed. “We call on the greater community of Mossel Bay to join us in caring, especially for the young people in our communities,” Brinkhuis said.
The first follow-up meeting to be hosted by the steering committee takes place on Monday, 11 September at 19:00 in the D’Almeida civic hall.
“Not everybody understands the repercussions of suicide,” says Lenise Hendricks, who has lost family members through suicide.
Therefore, as part of Monday night’s meeting, suicide survivors and bereaved family members who lost loved ones to suicide, will be given an opportunity to share their stories. Brinkhuis said initiatives had been launched for the training of counsellors to deal with the emotional and psychological needs in the community. “Lenise is busy with a programme which involves training at grassroots level. There is a great need for volunteers to be trained.”
For more information, contact Brinkhuis (062 441 3720). To enquire about counselling training, contact Hendricks (083 655 9455).