Venezuelan Police Develop Protocol for Suicide Prevention Outreach
CARACAS,Venezuela – Venezuela’s Criminal Scientific and Investigative Corps (Cicpc) is developing a specialized protocol too provide personalized attention to individuals exhibiting suicidal tendencies,Director Douglas Rico announced this week. The initiative comes as the world observes World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th.
The protocol, currently under development by a dedicated team, aims to offer targeted support to those who seek it. Rico highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating that globally, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds, and an attempt occurs every three seconds. This new effort reflects a growing focus on proactive mental health intervention within the Venezuelan law enforcement system.
Rico urged the public to be vigilant for warning signs in family and friends, detailing behaviors that may indicate suicidal ideation. These include discussing suicide, making plans, substance abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, a lack of purpose, agitation, insomnia, feelings of being trapped, increased isolation, self-harm, and meaningful changes in behavior or impulsivity.
“When you see someone… who exhibits these behaviors, it is possible that this person has in his mind the idea of taking his life,” Rico explained in a video posted to the Cicpc’s instagram account.
The cicpc also published a statement debunking the myth that individuals who talk about suicide will not act on those thoughts, emphasizing that most attempts are preceded by verbal and behavioral signals that should always be taken seriously.