A monthly breakdown of the number of suicides recorded in Jamaica this year has revealed a troubling pattern of a mid-year surge in cases, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reporting.

Between January and September 2025, a total of 44 suicides were recorded in the country — a 16.9 per cent drop compared to the 53 cases recorded for the similar period last year. However, a closer look at the number indicates that the data is not as positive as it appears, the JCF said on Sunday.

“Suicides were consistently lower in the first six months of 2025 compared with 2024, but the second half of the year has seen a reversal. July 2025 recorded eight suicides, a 33 per cent increase over July 2024; while August and September rose by 20 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively, compared with the same months last year,” said the JCF in its statement.

It noted that the data also points to a geographic shift in suicide cases. Last year, St James, St Elizabeth, St Catherine south, and St Thomas all recorded notable spikes. However, St Catherine north has been disproportionately represented this year, recording four cases in July alone.

“This underlines that suicide is not a uniform national issue, but often reflects localised socio-economic or community pressures,” said the police force.

The JCF noted that gender continues to be a critical dimension when analysing suicide cases, with men being an overwhelming majority of cases. However, it stated that while suicides among women remain relatively low, it may be edging upwards.

Just last Tuesday, it was reported that 26-year-old Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, was found at home hanging from her bed frame with a pink curtain around her neck. The police are now probing the case as a suspected suicide.

“This signals the need for urgent gender-sensitive interventions, as women’s experiences with self-harm often differ and may be linked to domestic, relational, and/or social factors that require tailored responses. As a law enforcement body, the JCF recognises that suicide is not solely a policing matter but a broader public health and social challenge,” the JCF wrote.

The police force issued a nationwide call for stakeholders, including public and mental health professionals, social workers, educators, community leaders, and faith-based organisations, to intensify their interventions so that the effects of suicide can be lessened.

“Coordinated action is urgently needed to strengthen community resilience, provide counselling and support services, and respond effectively to the vulnerabilities that may be driving these increases. Therefore, persons who might be experiencing mental and/or social challenges are encouraged to seek proper assistance through various mediums such as a pastor, peer group, or any upstanding individual in their community.

“The JCF remains committed to supporting our national partners in these efforts. Together, we must ensure that the troubling mid-year surge does not extend into the remainder of 2025,” the statement read.

A total of 67 suicide deaths were reported last year, one more than the 66 reported in 2023. In 2022 the number was 63; the prior year 50 such deaths were reported. In 2020 the number was 43, while in 2019 there were 58. Last year’s figure was the highest the country has seen since the year 2000, when 77 cases were reported, followed by 75 cases in 2001.

Individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts or their mental health are encouraged to contact the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline at 888-639-5433.

A screengrab of Tyra Spaulding, the 26-year-old who was found dead last week Tuesday and the police are now probing her case as a suspected suicide. Spaulding documented her challenges in a series of YouTube videos.