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.”
Comments
bahamianson 18 hours, 7 minutes ago
Flesh and blood had not revealed this to him. Seriously? Hopelessness has been rising ever since VAT, for everyone. And nothing is done about vexing probl ms that have persisted for decades. Potholes, electricity always goes off, immigration problem, bribery, corruption ,potholes etc. We need a leader whom isn’t afraid of dealing directly with these vexing problems, someone like Donald Trump, not afraid of backlash
ThisIsOurs 6 hours, 43 minutes ago
You be the first one crying. You must also support the mantra of "a little pain". I hope you did not rush to buy 3 dollar eggs and left them for some less fortunate who has no more space for "pain"
Btw, we've already had our Trump wannabe. Did you support the lockdowns? Did you support the push for Oban? In the past decade, we've only had just a taste of what life under an autocrat would look like. People who grew up under the Pindling era also saw the ramifications of a leader who weaponized the arms of govt against citizens.
Keep watch of the people who support this chaos. Dont vote for or support their appointment to anything. Remember Musk is also "smart"
bogart 16 hours, 25 minutes ago
Given the visual increasing signs of more and more and more Bahamians are on the streets begging, pleading for help, many on the streets with cardboard signs written pleas for help, many on the streets in dirty clothing with dark dirt all over, some on those lying on the street corners by Boat Alley wrapped up in blanket sleeping, one sleeping in a store lobby area right by Market st. and Wulff rd., number by the Boyd rd, numbers by Shirley st and other places.
Bahamians are in need of help and in growing numbers and obvious for those who can be seen on the streets there should be obvious that there are many who are not on the streets also needing help and other various forms of help.
Extremely sad to read this story. May he rest in peace.
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