Laureano Márquez raised the light of the UCAB Psychology Suicide Prevention Program
This Tuesday, February 6, the Venezuelan comedian and political scientist Laureano Márquez joined the UCAB Psychology campaign by donating his talent through a monologue titled “A Journey of Laughter” to carry out the psychosocial camp in the state of Mérida, an area deeply affected by the scourge of suicide, which will be made up of psychoucabist teachers and students.
Currently Venezuela does not have official figures on mental health; However, according to data from the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence (OVV), the numbers of cases of deaths by suicide are exceeding those of homicides. Between 2022 and 2023 there was a 6.5% increase in suicides in the country, presenting a rate of 8.2 per 100 thousand inhabitants in which the state of Mérida doubled the national rate with 15.5, according to OVV statistics.
“Suicide in Venezuela is growing at an alarming rate, with the state of Mérida at the top of the unfortunate list,” said the Director of the UCAB School of Psychology, Danny Danniel Socorro, S.J., who also considered that the event was timely for the “UCAB Psychology Suicide Prevention Program”.
The event began with the presentation of the results of the PsicoData study in 2023, which demonstrated high rates of psychological distress in Venezuelans and which are considerably influencing suicidal behavior. Father Socorro, SJ., expressed that talking about suicide in Venezuela is taboo and therefore the importance of sensitivity to society to obtain all possible support and thus solve the harsh reality that exists in the country.
The event began with the presentation of the results of the PsicoData study in 2023, which demonstrated high rates of psychological distress in Venezuelans and which are considerably influencing suicidal behavior. Father Socorro, SJ., expressed that talking about suicide in Venezuela is taboo and therefore the importance of sensitivity to society to obtain all possible support and thus solve the harsh reality that exists in the country.
Around 620 people attended the UCAB Aula Magna to enjoy Laureano Marquéz’s monologue and at the same time contribute to the “UCAB Psychology Suicide Prevention Program”, since tickets to the place were a collaboration starting at $10 each with the purpose of making possible the psychological, personal and community evaluation and intervention that makes up said program.
After enjoying the presentation of the monologue, Director Danny Socorro, SJ., asked Laureano Márquez to light a candle as a gesture of life together with the artists Mariangel Ruiz and Eyla Adrian, who have joined the campaign. Ucabist authorities and students also participated, while the rest of the spectators raised the lights of their cell phones to accompany the act as a sign of light.
On the other hand, Socorro expressed deep gratitude for the generosity of the participants and the people who have joined the suicide prevention campaign. He also closed the event by extending an invitation to viewers to be aware of the importance of mental health in the daily lives of Venezuelans.