A local clinical psychologist has described as “frightening” the increase in Jamaica’s suicide numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it is an indicator of the level of distress people are facing.

Sonia Wynter’s comments follow data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force Statistics and Information Management Unit, which revealed that not only did the country’s suicide rate increase following the onset of the pandemic, but last year Jamaica recorded the highest number of suicide deaths in almost 25 years.

Some 67 suicide deaths were reported last year, an increase when compared to 66 in 2023, 63 deaths in 2022, 50 deaths in 2021, 43 in 2020, and 58 in 2019.

Also, men continue to outnumber women in terms of suicide deaths, with statistics showing that of the 67 lives lost last year, a staggering 61 were men, highlighting significant gender disparity in the country’s mental health crisis.

Last year’s figure is the highest the country has seen since the year 2000, when 77 cases were reported, and 75 cases in 2001.

“Suicide numbers, no matter what they are, are a cause for concern, and what we are seeing is that they are increasing,” the licensed clinical psychologist said. “Suicide is often an indicator of the mental health of the broader society sometimes, you know; it’s often an indicator that goes up, you know, because of the level of distress that is being experienced in the society.

“It is also a cause for concern because of what it says is happening in our greater society, that we have these numbers, which is frightening, and that it’s increasing is, in fact, a cause for concern,” Wynter, who is the founder of Tea House Therapy, told the Jamaica Observer.

Wynter noted that there has been a growing demand for mental health counselling since the pandemic.

“The number of people who are reaching out for help and coming into Tea House Therapy and other practices as well, is increasing and has increased dramatically since… there’s still many, many people who are not getting help right and they’re therefore suffering, so you know the health-seeking behaviours have not kept up with the demand for help, but at least it’s increasing dramatically.

“In 2020, when we first had the pandemic, I was a sole practitioner, I was alone and I had a lot of time on my hands — I would say maybe three days worth of clients every week — that was in March of 2020. By 2021, my caseload was full. I was working six days a week and I had to take on three additional psychologists by the end of that year.

“Caseload was full again and I had to hire; today there are 13 psychologists as a part of Tea House and that’s five years later… so that’s telling you that there are more and more people getting the help. That’s the good news, but we still need more practitioners providing this service because you know that saying water more than flour, to tell you the truth,” she shared.

The clinical psychologist said that persons already experiencing mental health disorders or those going through financial and personal challenges may be at a greater risk of taking their own life.

“The first indicator that makes a person at risk is if they’re already experiencing a mental health disorder, so people who are experiencing some level of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorders, schizophrenia, or any of those mental health disorders. If you’re experiencing them, if you have a predisposition in your family, then you’re at a higher risk for death by suicide. That’s number one.

“If you’re experiencing economic hardships where you go through a period of added financial stress or job loss…those things can create a sense of hopelessness and that also is a risk factor for suicide.

“Another major thing that creates risk for these kinds of deaths and what we saw happen as a result of COVID-19 is social isolation — when people don’t have strong social support when they’re feeling lonely and isolated — that can put them at risk for death by suicide,” she explained.

Additionally, Wynter noted that people who experience physical, emotional, and sexual trauma are at a higher risk for suicide attempts.

“A big one, too, is trauma and abuse. So people who are experiencing physical or emotional or sexual trauma, particularly children, they’re at a higher risk, at least for suicidal thoughts and sometimes suicide attempts as well… Another thing, too, can be the fact that mental health issues are so stigmatised, that can prevent people from getting help when they’re… not coping well and dealing with a lot of hopelessness and isolation.

“The fact that they don’t, it’s so there’s such a stigma to it…people feel ashamed to get help, and once you’re not seeking help, that places you at a higher risk,” the clinical psychologist said.

Men continue to outnumber women in terms of suicide deaths. Dr Donavon Thomas, founder and president of Choose Life International, a faith-based agency that focuses on suicide prevention and offers grief counselling, shared with the Sunday Observer that there are several factors that contribute to this gender gap, including psychological factors and socialisation.

“Sometimes, men don’t believe that they should reach out for help. They run away from counselling. They run away from sharing their problems. They prefer to go out and play dominoes, or they may smoke or drink. So, there’s a psychological factor and a minimal way of internalising things,” he explained.

This was supported by Wynter, who shared that 70 per cent of her clients are females.

“In my practice, about three in every 10 new clients are men and seven would be women… so that’s a huge disparity,” she noted.

Additionally, Dr Thomas noted that there are also economic factors, including economic dissatisfaction, which can trigger a sense of hopelessness that may lead men to suicidal thoughts.

“There’s a strong relationship between economic dissatisfaction and hopelessness, which may lead to suicide. What we’ve found is that when a man is unable to meet his bills, when he’s unable to do the things he needs to do, that can trigger suicidal thoughts. The relationship between the economy and suicide has even coined the term ‘economicide’,” he said.

In contrast, the Choose Life International president noted that women tend to use religion as a coping mechanism.

“There is a religious factor. Religion is one of those things that protects against suicide. It protects against many things. There are a bit more women in the church; more women know that God is not going to give them more than they can bear. More women know that God is their refuge and strength. So, even though there are difficulties and challenges, they don’t feel the need to say, ‘I’m going to take this on my shoulders.’ Instead, they give it to God. Hence, the ratio of suicide among women compared to men is much lower,” he shared.

Dr Thomas also noted that men tend to use more lethal means to take their own life, while women use less drastic means.

“He will use a gun, or in Jamaica, a rope. In the US and other parts of the world where guns are more accessible, they are the common means of death by suicide. The method we see is that many more women attempt suicide, but many more men complete suicide. On the other hand, the man’s cry for help often takes the form of more drastic means,” he said.

Earlier this month, a former firefighter who mounted the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre, threatening to take his own life, had a change of heart following the intervention of former colleagues at the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Sources claimed that the man was triggered to attempt suicide due to domestic issues. The incident has since sparked a debate on social media surrounding the men’s mental well-being.

“I am a male, and I’m not well mentally. My job has been burnt out. I went to the doctors, and they said I’m depressed and have anxiety and was on sick leave for over a month. I got meds but didn’t take them because I googled them, and they can be addictive, so I decided not to take them.

“I used exercise as a way of helping, but I did have panic attacks and heart palpitations here and there. Came back to work yesterday, and I’ve fallen right back into it. I went to the bathroom and had a good cry about it. Just trying to hold out until I go on vacation leave,” one male commented on Deardreamofficial
Instagram page.

Another male expressed that he felt unappreciated and unloved as the breadwinner of his family.

“As a father who loves his kids so much and takes care of the household without complaining about finances to my partner, there isn’t even a sense of appreciation and definitely no love. Men need love and appreciation, too,” he expressed.

Jamaicans battling mental health challenges or depression are being urged to seek help through the various channels available avenues for counselling.

“We are saying help is available and emphasising that before you pull the trigger or before you make that jump, call the number 888-639-5433 [Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline] or talk to somebody from Choose Life International at 876-920-7924,” Dr Thomas urged.

Meanwhile, Dr Thomas outlined key warning signs to watch for, which are critical for family members, friends, and communities to identify to intervene before it’s too late.

“Talking frequently about suicide is a significant warning sign. A person who has a negative view of themselves, talks about death, or expresses hopelessness is at risk,” he said.

Other warning signs include drastic mood changes, engaging in risky behaviour, and a desire to isolate oneself. Dr Thomas stressed that it’s important not to ignore these signs.