Bahamas Christian Council President, Bishop Delton Fernander weighed in on the discussion of suicide on Monday. Six people have taken their own lives thus far this year.
Bishop Fernander is of the view that what people study especially through technology can give insight into what they are interested in. He said, “I can pick up your phone right now and figure out what space you’re in. But I’m trained, I’m professional, I work with law enforcement, I could tell you a whole lot about your life just by what the reels give me soon as I pick up your phone. And I know that’s scary but it’s what you’re tapping into. Your space, the AI, the system is designed to give you more. If you’re into darkness it’ll give you more darkness. If you’re into light it give you more light.”
The Christian Council President also shared what he thinks are some of the triggers of suicide. “A downturn and a difference in your present situation, that you’re not in the financial condition that you used to be. You might have lost your job or you might have had an occasion where you couldn’t make a bill payment, your water is off, you light is off, can’t pay school fees. You think about the compounding problems that bring you to a place that you feel hopeless. I can’t get out of this, nobody is helping me.”
Bishop Fernander advised those who find themselves in a low place not to get lost in social media but to find help. “Don’t hit a like, don’t hit a button, don’t share it on social media. You can find a person of faith that is not only sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ but is prepared to walk you through and bring you back from the edge and bring you back to a place of standing strong.”
For persons in need of assistance the Bahamas Crisis Center hotline is 322-2732 or call 911.
