We can sometimes underestimate the power of sharing challenges in life. This *OVERCOMER platform was created to bridge that gap. Your story could inspire someone to make a change in their life or make a difference to someone else’s. This Podcast will look at the high teenage suicide rate in Guyana with guest Lisa Punch.

Lisa Punch has a number of accolades, the most significant being the founder of POTS (Prevention of Teenage Suicide) in 2014.  POTS is a 'not for profit' programme working to prevent suicide amongst teenagers in Guyana which is viewed by some as an epidemic.

With a population of approx 800,000, Guyana has one of the highest teenage suicide rates per capita in the world, an issue which Punch struggled with herself during her own teenage years, as she tried to take her own life at age 14.  Being possessed with a strong social conscience, Punch sought, through her campaigning, to bring this most serious issue, affecting mainly women, to the fore.

The discussion looks at the services being offered by The POTS programme which includes mentorship, education and awareness to assist not only those affected but parents, teachers and other members of the community.  In particular, Punch is keen to let children know that they are 'their brother's keeper' encouraging them to recognise some of the warning signs in their colleagues before it's too late.

Punch also discusses being contacted by the BBC recently for her comments on this most serious issue.  In the coverage, the BBC interviewed a number of teenage students who told some harrowing stories about the reasons they contemplated suicide.  Some of these reasons included bullying, isolation, issues within the family, absent parents, family member dying and poverty.  The report also identified how suicide is laughed at and accepted as part of Guyanese culture. 

Punch talks about her efforts to inspire and nurture affected teenagers to concentrate on their strengths, value their worth and become valuable members of their community.

Due to scant resources to effectively deal with this issue, Punch enlisted support from the Guyanese Education Ministry who allowed POTS and their volunteers access to several schools in Guyana to liaise with pupils and teachers to bring further awareness to the issue. The POTS programme has also received funding from GTT which will be used to set up a G-Talk Suicide Hotline, and Bill Board Programmes throughout Guyana.

Punch now resident in the USA started her career in broadcasting, later becoming a singer/songwriter having appeared on the US smash hit singing contest, Rising Star and The Voice.  Punch's talent does not end there however, because she was the Guyanese entrant for the Miss World Contest in 2015 securing a prestigious 4th place.

More Info:

Prevention of Teenage Suicide FB Page

Email - Prevention of Teenage Suicide Team at: [email protected]

Interview carried out by Le'Siran, The Beloved Coachess of Hopewell Vision & Coaching.

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