The Cabildo of Lanzarote, through the Departments of Environment and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Security and Emergency Consortium, the Teguise City Council and the Gamas Association, has launched a project in the Las Nieves area that consists of the implementation of measures for the prevention of suicide.
This initiative includes the installation of physical barriers and signs, with the purpose of limiting access to high-risk places. This plan aligns with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In this first action, physical barriers were placed, in a section of 500 meters, as well as several signs in different strategic points. The latter contain messages to dissuade, as well as the emergency number (112), in addition to the suicidal behavior attention line (024). These interventions can help people reconsider their actions and facilitate the action of third parties.
The Minister of the Environment, Samuel Martín, assured that "this project will help all those people who have at some point had thoughts of ending their lives, providing them with a second chance to reconsider their decision."
On the other hand, the Minister of Social Welfare, Marci Acuña, clarified that "from the Corporation we want to make this problem visible, which is a public health issue, and as administrations we must take a firm step in helping those who are having a bad time."
For his part, the president of the Security and Emergency Consortium, Francisco J. Aparicio, positively valued "the direct collaboration of the Lanzarote fire brigade." "The fight against this great problem concerns us all, and safety and prevention are fundamental," he said.
The mayor of Teguise, Olivia Duque, highlighted the importance of collaborative work in this project and added that "this was a measure we were waiting for." "It is essential that, when a person arrives at this place with an idea in mind, when seeing the messages of hope that we have created and the contact numbers available, they can receive the help they need."
The president of the Gamas Association, Marta Ceñal, highlighted that "when a person in crisis encounters an impediment, it is possible that they will seek to contact someone who can help them. Therefore, numbers such as 112 and 024 are key in those critical moments." "We firmly believe that these impediments are of vital importance," she concluded.
This proposal adds to the collaborative efforts of different institutions, underlining the importance of making the problem visible and offering key resources for those people in a crisis situation, providing them with a second chance and a way to seek help.
