The Tribune

By DR DAVID ALLEN

During the past six months, the Family People Helping People Project has experienced a significant number of attendees with extreme suicidal ideation, some of whom have made suicide attempts. This aligns with the reported number of suicides this year, which I believe stands at approximately eight, six of whom are males. The reason for this gender disparity remains unclear.

The most comprehensive suicide study in the country was conducted by Keva Bethel and myself in 2014, and it needs to be updated. Ms Bethel, an excellent researcher, also conducted a prospective study in 2015 on public perceptions of suicide by distributing questionnaires to respondents in all major family islands. We were surprised that a considerable number of individuals admitted to having suicidal thoughts. Given the trends we are seeing in 2025, that study may have been predictive of the current situation.

When discussing the causes of suicide, it is important to be cautious of the epidemiological fallacy, where causation is mistakenly equated with association. While we may not know the exact cause of suicide, many contributing factors have been identified. One major factor is financial difficulty, particularly among men who feel their jobs cannot provide the lifestyle they desire. After multiple failed attempts to improve their situation, they become discouraged and develop suicidal ideation or may attempt suicide.

In some cases, they complete suicide. Another key factor is severe depression. Depression is a hidden epidemic in the Bahamas. Traditional assessments like the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Test indicate only mild depression within our marginalised communities. However, based on my work and research, these assessments do not always capture the full depth of an individual’s distress. By combining standardised tests with personal interviews, we can better understand the level of risk someone is facing.

There is no doubt that we must improve our treatment of depression in our country. These depressive states are often complex and not purely biological; they are frequently linked to substance use, including marijuana, cocaine, and, most commonly, alcohol. This complicates the clinical picture, making it challenging to determine the primary issue at hand. As a result, the depression is usually hidden and missed, and eventually flowers out into a suicide itself. This is why this is a very complex issue.

The value of the Family Group is that when individuals attend, we get to know their personal stories, allowing us to better understand their strengths and struggles. The Family Group provides consensual validation of the depression. Which means that if signs of depression are missed by one person, it can be identified by another.

I want to emphasise that conducting research in The Bahamas requires building trust. From my experience working with drug addicts over the years, it is clear that Bahamians are generally distrustful. Random street surveys are ineffective in gathering accurate data. Instead, a research cohort must be established, one where participants develop a sense of trust with researchers.

Only then do they begin to separate the boundaries between their conscious and subconscious thoughts and share their deepest struggles, including experiences of physical and sexual abuse, grief, job loss, and missed opportunities.

Within the Family Group, we have encountered cases where separated parents, often fathers, are unable to contact their children after the mother moves abroad. In some cases, these men provide financial support via bank cards, only to find themselves entirely cut off from communication. This leads to profound feelings of helplessness, depression, and suicidal thoughts. For women, physical abuse appears to be a major contributing factor to suicidal ideation. When a woman experiences ongoing abuse, she may eventually lose her will to live.

Children also experience adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect. However, we must consider whether these experiences are balanced by protective factors. A child with high adverse experiences may still thrive if they have a caring parent, family, community, or church. These protective elements can counterbalance negative childhood experiences.

The greatest concern arises when a child has little to no protective factors. In such cases, adverse childhood experiences significantly increase the risk of suicidal thoughts, depression, or violent behaviours. It is crucial to recognise that substance use is frequently involved, whether through gummies, marijuana, or alcohol. My experience has shown that when drugs enter the equation, it becomes even more difficult to determine the root cause of distress and suicidal ideation.

One thing we must not forget is that Hurricane Dorian had a devastating impact on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama, leading to a phenomenon we refer to as ‘Hurricane Post-Traumatic Disorder.’ This is characterised by severe anxiety triggered by reminders of the trauma. Research suggests that the psychological effects of such disasters can take three to four years to fully manifest, meaning many individuals may currently be experiencing the peak of their post-traumatic stress. This distress can lead to suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and even suicide completion.

We do not have all the answers, but what is clear is that suicide is a growing crisis in our country. Below are four recent cases from our Family Group that highlight the severity of the issue:

1. A gentleman from a family island struggled with extreme loneliness. He became tired of drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism and attempted to drink bleach to end his life. He is now in Nassau, attending our Family Group, and doing much better.

2. A woman came to the Family Group feeling weak and overwhelmed. She had endured two abusive marriages and was currently working under an abusive boss. A few weeks ago, she reached a breaking point and attempted to end her life. Fortunately, her daughter recognized the signs, intervened, and connected her with us. She is now participating in our group and making progress, though she acknowledges that life remains challenging.

3. A few Sundays ago, I received a call at church about a vulnerable young woman. Last Monday, I visited the Kemp Road Ministries Family Group, where her aunt met me in the parking lot, distressed about a premonition she had. She had dreamt that her pregnant niece was about to harm herself with a knife. When she visited her niece’s home, she found the knife exactly as she had envisioned. She confronted her niece, who admitted she was planning to take her life. The aunt brought her to our Family Group, and we have been supporting her. While she is beginning to stabilise, she remains at significant risk, and we will continue to follow up with her.

4. At a recent Family Programme meeting at East Street Gospel Chapel, a young man struggling with severe depression confessed that he had nearly taken his own life with a gun. Desperate for help, he reached out to me early in the morning, leading to a meeting where he was invited to the program that afternoon. There, he connected with one of our facilitators, Dr. Williams, who shared her own story of despair as a pregnant teenager. Her words deeply resonated with him, as his mother had also given birth at age 14 years. Feeling an unexpected bond, he asked if he could call her “mother”.

Dr Williams provided comfort, reminding him of God’s love and the support around him. She continued to check on him daily, and through her care, he regained his will to live. As a symbol of love and prayer, she gifted him a special blue scarf that she knitted, reinforcing that he was not alone. Now, he has found purpose in helping others facing similar struggles, working to bring more people in crisis to The Family Program.

If you are concerned about a family member, do not wait for them to ask for help, intervene. Encourage them to join a Family Group. These groups offer a warm and supportive environment where healing can begin.

Family Group Meeting Locations:

• Mondays – Kemp Road Ministries (6pm)

• Wednesdays – East Street Gospel Chapel (4pm)

• Thursdays – Grace Community Church (6.30pm)

• Fridays – Fox Hill Community Centre (1pm) & St Barnabas Church (5pm)

• Saturdays – New Providence Community Centre, Blake Road (12.30pm)

When bringing someone to a Family Group, accompany them or have a trusted relative join them. The support of a community is invaluable. Over the years, many individuals have found new hope and purpose through these groups. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 557-3172.