On the occasion of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launching Suicide Prevention Month on September 1, under the slogan “Changing the narrative,” Julia Muñiz Subervi made an urgent call to reflect on the profound problems facing Dominican society, especially women.
In his commentary on Sunday’s episode of the program “Ahora” on Super 7, he highlighted that every 40 seconds, a person commits suicide in the world and that, of these, one in every 3.5 attempts are made by women.
In this regard, he pointed out that this problem has complex roots and that mental health is a critical factor in many of these cases.
“We are seeing women who, caught in situations of extreme difficulty, mistreat their children or, in extreme cases, take their own lives. These episodes are closely linked to mental health and the role that women play in our society,” she explained.
She stressed that women, especially in the Dominican Republic, are often victims of dysfunctional family structures and abusive relationships, thus bearing the heaviest responsibilities in their homes, and in addition, they have to deal with hormonal changes that impact their mental health and their decisions.
For Muñiz Subervi, this year’s motto, “Changing the narrative,” goes beyond being just a slogan; it is a cry for help.
“We are at the forefront, not only in the domestic sphere, but also from a professional point of view, we are the ones who study the most, the ones who occupy the most job positions, however, when are they going to hug us? When are we going to be cared for? When is it really and effectively? Not through welfare, not through a bonus, because we can find it as a one-time help. However, the strategies to really and effectively build myself as a human being, when am I going to receive them?” she asked.
She also questioned the effectiveness of public policies and their actual implementation, highlighting that, although there are multiple institutions linked to women, there is no articulated body that offers practical and immediate solutions.
“We are present in theory, but when it comes to practice, when will we be on the agenda of decision-makers?” he insisted.
For Muñiz Suberrvi, it is essential that mental health and women’s rights be part of the discussion table for decision-makers in the country.
