The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A MAN in his 20s was found hanging at a home in Star Estates off Prince Charles Drive on Friday, making the country’s fifth alleged suicide this year.

Chief Superintendent Marcus Sands, head of the Eastern Division, said police received a complaint of apparent suicide sometime after 4pm. He said a family member made the discovery.

Officers found the man hanging in the kitchen area of the home and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) pronounced him lifeless.  there will be an autopsy performed. 

This is the second alleged suicide this week.  

“This is definitely concerning to us,” CSP Sands said. “We can’t say the cause of this particular one.”

In February, police statistics revealed there were eight suicides in 2024, up from six in 2023. Among these, four were committed by males - one each of category 0-17, 18-30, 31-45, and 46-60.

Dr John Dillett, a consultant psychiatrist, told The Tribune that each suicide is unique and must be investigated individually to understand the specific causes.

“Generally, from speaking with many individuals, patients and persons in the community, there's an increasing sense of hopelessness I think in our community that perhaps we haven't seen for some time.”

“People are feeling very overwhelmed, whether it's because of economics, because of mental health, because of domestic situations and relationships, etc. Persons really are feeling a bit hopeless that they don't have faith in the support systems around them.”

He admitted many of the country’s health resources and mental health resources are still limited and lacking.

“I think in terms of our culture we still have quite a stigma when it comes to speaking about mental health issues. So I think, one, it's not something that persons directly speak about and acknowledge in each other.”

“But two, I think unfortunately, because of the pandemic and a limitation and restriction of mental health resources over the past five to 10 years, the access of persons health to care, I think, is quite limited as well.”

Dr Dillett said the rates of depression are fairly equal between men and women generally but men tend to complete suicide more effectively than females because of a number of reasons, including preferred ways in which to commit suicide. 

Women may find it easier to express emotions and receive support, while men often feel pressure to hide weakness and not express their feelings. This can lead to emotional strain and, in some cases, even suicide

The pandemic, along with ongoing issues like inflation and crime, has contributed to increased anxiety and depression. As a result, mood disorders are becoming more common in communities due to rising stress levels.

“ Persons who are self-medicating with substances is probably on the rise, and that can certainly lead to impulsivity, and that can certainly potentially suicidal feelings, thoughts and actions as a result of that. 

“So it is troubling that numbers are increasing, and unfortunately, the more times that we have completed suicides, that's a negative reinforcement for others who feel that that may be also a way to end their troubles.”