~Equip Yourself to Save a Life!~
PHILIPSBURG:--- According to the World Health Organization, "Close to 800,000 people die by suicide every year. Suicide is a serious global public health issue. It is among the top twenty leading causes of death worldwide, with more deaths due to suicide than to malaria, breast cancer, or war and homicide."
On St. Maarten and in the Leeward Islands especially, death by suicide has been minimal compared to the wider world. Yet even one life lost to suicide is one too many. Over the last ten years however, suicide ideation and death by suicide has become more prevalent in our region and on our island St. Maarten.
Since 2018, Grace Hill Bible University, St. Maarten Campus, in conjunction with Victorious Living Foundation's visionary, Dr. Erna Mae Francis Cotton has offered the course, Suicide Prevention, Assessment and Treatment as part of its Master’s level counseling degree program. This course is mandatory for students to graduate from the program. It is even more vital today, considering the mental health crisis on St. Maarten and around the world.
The course starts on September 2nd 2024. Delivered virtually, it covers all the critical elements of suicide assessment. Using the latest research, and evidenced-based practices, students are prepared, challenged and equipped to assess persons with suicidal ideation and plans, identify the risk factors, create treatment plans, and prevent individuals from resorting to suicide. Utilizing their acquired skills, the students are also required to organize a “Master Class” to share their knowledge with the general public. Registration closes on August 20th.
Finland, which once held the un-coveted position of having one of the highest suicide rates globally, has halved its suicide rate by its commitment to prevention, awareness and education. For this reason, Grace Hill Bible University, St. Maarten campus is committed to equipping aspiring counselors, teachers, pastors and other interested individuals to help to curb this growing malaise in our communities. Through greater awareness and education, more lives can be saved.
For more information, or to enroll in the course, persons may call +1-721-524-8731 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
