POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander. (File photo)
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said he is alarmed by the number of attempted suicides in the past week and wants more officers to become certified in mental health management.
A 44-year-old woman reportedly attempted suicide on Sunday in Grand Bahama, the fourth attempted suicide in two weeks.
Shortly before 5pm, the victim was being driven on the airport road with a male friend when she opened the cars’s passenger door and jumped from the moving vehicle in an alleged attempt to take her life.
On Wednesday, a 47-year-old woman ingested a quantity of over-the-counter medication.
Earlier that day, a 25-year-old man inflicted two deep lacerations to his wrist with a broken glass.
Last week Monday, a 33-year-old woman ingested a quantity of prescription medication and alcohol in Abaco.
“Mental health is very serious, and we have to pay attention to that,” Commissioner Fernander said yesterday.
“Here talking about mental health, I'm trying to get a training course for our officers to deal with that situation, not only for themselves, but I'm talking about dealing with members of the public out there.”
He urged relatives to support family members suffering from mental health challenges.
“We encourage families to pay attention to their loved ones,” he said.
“You know, sometimes you could see signs of what is going on. Don't ignore it. Don't ignore it.
“Pay attention and reach out to the professionals or somebody who you could trust, who will steer you in the right direction to avoid incidents like this.”
More like this story
- Woman allegedly attempts suicide - Police chief shares alarm at rise in numbers
- Teenage girl hospitalised after allegedly attempting suicide
- 43 nurses with mental health training to join system this month
- Suicides down by 25 percent despite remarkable 86 percent rise in attempts
- Police investigating alleged suicide attempt
Comments
FreeportFreddy 1 year, 1 month ago
US $ 300 to fly from Freeport to Lauderdale is criminal!!! UNREAL
BTW.... police just gonna be police nd oppress people
GodSpeed 1 year, 1 month ago
I'll bet financial woes are present in each case.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 1 month ago
"POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said he is alarmed by the number of attempted suicides in the past week..."
And that's the problem. The WHO signaled that countries should prepare for an increase in suicides 4 years ago. Our police force leadership appears incapable of strategizing
bahamianson 1 year, 1 month ago
Is it mental health or a feeling of hopelessness? When all you see are prices in the grocery store going up every week, gas going up crime going up everything going up, potholes in every road except Bahamar road, buses doing their own thing politicians stealing and getting reward3d, and only politicians partying and celebrating the 50th, you can see why people feel the way they do. we are failing in all aspects of society , and we truly need Jesus to comfort and keep us. Look around, where are the answers? Only thing is, save the little you have for important spending , and stop having so many children. Focus on family, combine salaries in a household to contribute to the escalating BEC bill, water bill, cell phone bill, garbage bill, food bill, car license bill, car insurance bill, and all other bills. Wr are in a sad time and expensive place.
carltonr61 1 year, 1 month ago
The government never put education first during Gambling legalization. Ten billion dollars was spent from personal and family money due to gambling addiction. The government protecting the gaming boys is a crime by not joining WHO and American Association of Psychiatry on declaring gambling a mental health issue. Profits before health.
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