According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 720,000 people die by suicide every year, making suicide one of the leading causes of death. For every death, many more people attempt suicide or struggle with suicidal thoughts.

Highly publicised suicides involving students, professionals, as well as young and older adults have become a feature of Jamaican life. Official statistics have consistently shown that Jamaican males above 40 years old account for over 80 per cent of the approximately 70 suicide deaths reported annually. Research among adolescents has found worrying levels of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, reminding us that many people suffer in silence.

These depressing episodes, which find fertile soil in high stress environments like ours, have affected schools, churches, workplaces, and communities. They highlight the urgent need for greater awareness, earlier intervention, and stronger support systems. World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), observed annually on September 10, remains the flagship event, bringing together psychologists, counsellors, educators, clergy, researchers, government officials, youth leaders, and people with lived experiences. The objective is not just to discuss suicide but to build hope, resilience, and practical skills that save lives.

In 2008, approximately 40 people gathered in a small hotel conference room in Kingston for a seminar to mark the event, which was launched in 2003 by the WHO, International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP), and World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH). Hosted by Chose Life International (CLI), Jamaica’s home-grown non-profit organisation spearheading the drive to build awareness and ultimately end the tragedies, few imagined that this modest gathering would become a movement reaching beyond our shores. In 2025, the seminar engaged more than 2,000 participants in 24 nations from the Caribbean, Latin America, North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

For 2026, CLI has set an ambitious goal of reaching 5,000 participants from at least 50 nations. In addition to traditional in-person conferences, seminars, and watch parties, the organisation is utilising online technology, language translators, and sign language to overcome barriers of geography, language, and disabilities. The commitment is to disseminate life-saving information and provide practical assistance to people at risk of suicide regardless of their social or economic status, where they live, how they look, and despite mental and other health mobilities.

CLI believes suicide is everyone’s responsibility. Outside of the annual global awareness and call to action campaign, the organisation, which was founded in 2008 by the husband-and-wife team Drs Donovan and Faith Thomas is like a sentinel, keeping watch to protect the vulnerable, warn of danger, and rescue the perishing. Through book publication, public education, school programmes, workplace training, consultancies, church partnerships, television broadcasts, webinars, podcasts, seminars, and community outreach, CLI seeks to create communities in which people recognise warning signs, know how to respond compassionately, and how to connect individuals to appropriate help.

Dr Donovan Thomas observes, “Suicide prevention cannot be left only to mental health professionals. Every parent, teacher, pastor, employer, health-care worker, police officer, and community leader can and must become part of the national safety net and response team that helps someone on the precipice of suicide choose life instead.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed annually on September 10..

“As Jamaica prepares for WSPD 2026, CLI invites government agencies, schools, universities, churches, businesses, health-care institutions, and community organisations to join the movement by actively engaging as sponsors, by enrolling as attendees, and by spreading the word.”

WSPD 2026 has adopted as its global theme ‘Changing the narrative on suicide’. Jamaica will observe the event with a conference under the supporting theme ‘Keep the conversation alive in a digital world’. Keynote speaker will be Dr George Leveridge, clinical director and consultant psychiatrist, Medical Services Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. He will be joined by a stellar line-up of international speakers including Dr Roger Ball, Dr Paul Smith, Dr Josef Thomas, Dr Brian Kazaara, and Professor Janelle Titus, covering a range of topics selected to educate, inform, and empower.

Jamaica is enjoying the benefits of a dramatic decline in the rate of intentional homicides; it’s not far-fetched to think the same is possible with the rate of suicide. Together we can bring an end to this unnecessary loss of life.

Dr Henley Morgan is founder and executive chairman of the Trench Town-based social enterprise Agency for Inner-city Renewal (AIR) and author of My Trench Town Journey – Lessons in Social Entrepreneurship and Community Transformation for Development Leaders, Policy Makers, Academics and Practitioners. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or hwardmorgan+articles@gmail.com.

Henley Morgan