SUICIDE PREVENTION
Strengthening Suicide Prevention Efforts in St. Lucia
On January 28, 2025, we convened a Multistakeholder Consultation on Suicide Decriminalization in Castries, St. Lucia, in partnership with the Ministry of Health. This event gathered key stakeholders, including policymakers, mental health professionals, civil society organizations and community advocates, to discuss the impact of criminalizing suicide and explore alternatives that prioritize prevention and support.
Through insightful discussions and collaborative action, we are working toward a more compassionate, public health-centered approach to suicide prevention in St. Lucia.
Advancing Suicide Decriminalization in Grenada
On January 22, 2025, we hosted a Multistakeholder Consultation on Suicide Decriminalization in St. George’s, Grenada, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development. This critical gathering brought together government officials, mental health professionals, law enforcement, civil society leaders, religious leaders and advocates to discuss pathways for legislative reform and improved crisis response.
Through engaging discussions and collaborative planning, we took an important step toward ensuring compassionate, rights-based approaches to suicide prevention in Grenada.
Talking Suicide Prevention on ABS TV
In December 2024, we joined ABS TV to discuss suicide prevention, warning signs, and the cultural context of mental health in the Caribbean. Our conversation highlighted the importance of understanding and addressing these issues with compassion and awareness.
Watch the full discussion promoting our free harm reduction workshop that focused on safety planning for the general public.
Watch as TV Host and Mental Health Advocate, Chaneil Imhoff leads a thoughtful and impactful conversation with us.
CSDC at IASP Pan-American Conference
In November, 2024 secretariat members of the Caribbean Regional Coalition for the Decriminalization of Suicide attended the IASP Pan-American Conference in Minneapolis, USA. The coalition hosted a workshop and panel discussion in collaboration with UGMH; discussing the path to decriminalizing suicide in the Caribbean.
Pictured: Aastha Sethi (UGMH), Dr. David Johnson (LUI), Alicia Pinder (Red Cross Bahamas), Leon Cherry (CariCope), Emily Bachan (LUI), Dr. Margaret Chatoor (MNC + IASP), Reseda Ramkhelawan (Mindwise TT) and Desarie Nicholas (CariCope).
Advancing Advocacy for Change
In October 2024, CariCope received a subaward from the Education Development Center to support advocacy efforts for the decriminalization of suicide in St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and Grenada. As the managing organization for this subaward, CariCope is leading efforts in three of the four countries where the coalition is working to drive legislative reform and promote compassionate mental health policies.
A Regional Call to Action
In July 2024, we officially launched our coalition to decriminalize suicide in the Caribbean with a powerful regional webinar. Advocates, experts, and policymakers came together to discuss the urgent need for reform and the path forward.
Breaking the Silence
In The Guardian, our founder, Desarie Nicholas, discusses the urgent need to decriminalize suicide in the Caribbean and the movement gaining momentum across the region. This article highlights the push to replace punishment with support for those in crisis.
Read more: Campaign to Decriminalise Suicide in Four Caribbean Nations Gains Momentum
A Global Call for Change
In May 2024, our global partners came together to raise awareness about the urgent need to decriminalize suicide in the Caribbean. This video amplifies our shared commitment to shifting from punishment to prevention and ensuring compassionate support for those in crisis.
Watch now to see how we’re uniting for change.
#DecriminalizeSuicide #MentalHealthMatters #AdvocacyForChange
The Beginning of a Movement
In May 2024, alongside the Global Mental Health Action Network and other global partners, we joined a 3-day workshop that sparked a united call to decriminalize suicide across the Caribbean. This pivotal event, spearheaded by United for Global Mental Health led to the formation of a coalition and a growing movement for change.
Read more: Leaving No Caribbean Island Behind: Suicide is Not a Crime