By Sue-Ann Wayow
REACH out.
This is the message to all persons experiencing difficulty whether financial or otherwise.
With crime, unemployment, financial problems, relationship and family issues, unmet goals and medical conditions, Trinidad and Tobago is a nation reeling in social distress and mental illness in the global Covid-19 pandemic. And the country needs to prepare for.
This according to Dr Varma Deyalsingh who said that the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated all the existing mental health precipitants for depression and suicide.
Dr Deyalsingh, who is also an Independent Senator, spoke to AZP News on Monday about a couple taking their lives in front of their young child on Saturday.
Steve Jugmohan, 40, and his common-law wife Sharlene Ramkissoon, 38, hanged themselves in the presence of their nine-year-old daughter.
The couple lived at La Paille Road, Princes Town, and recorded a video in front of their daughter stating what was about to happen and asking relatives to take care of their children.
The couple has another child, a five-year-old boy, who was born with a hole in his heart.
Judgmohan also has a 16-year-old daughter. Ramkissoon’s two other sons live in the US.
Dr Deyalsingh said, “Having a video may serve to show the world what they planned to do, was a joint effort, give explanations of why they wanted to do and hope it reaches help for children left behind. We are fortunate they did not take the child or children with them to also prevent them from suffering in the world they wanted to escape from.”
The children affected were also now at an increased risk of mental illness and suicide, he said.
Dr Deyalsingh said, “We, society need to ensure we not fail the child who witnessed this tragic event. We need to chart a future for this child.”
Acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob must be commended for visiting the family and arranging counselling for the children, he added.
Community in distress
Chairman of the Princes Town Regional Corporation Gowrie Roopnarine, told AZP News that he will be visiting the family of the couple soon.
He said it was something Princes Town was not accustomed to and therefore difficult to approach the grieving and confused family.
The chairman said, “People need to be more involved with each other and to share their concerns. Many are having problems and they hold on to it. I would say reach out. Reach out if you need help.”
Local government councillor for Corinth/Cedar Hills Shawn Premchand said his community was very traumatised by the incident.
The family also last month, had a relative who passed away. He lived next daoor.
He said he even spoke to Ramkissoon in January and did not suspect any underlying issue.
Premchand is hoping that the relevant authorities step in to assist all members of the family, especially the children with therapy and counselling.
He said the child who witnessed the incident has not been speaking much to anyone.
Vishal Ramjohn whose body was discovered in his car trunk on Saturday was also Premchand’s neighbour and lived very near to where the suicide was committed.
He said his district was plagued by issues with five cremations of Covid-19 patients being conducted in one week.
The councillor said Ramjohn’s death came as a shock to everyone as he was well known in the village, a family man who was recently trying to rebuild his life with his wife and young son. He worked at the Pt Lisas Industrial Estate.
He said Ramjohn, 33, was not involved in anything illegal and no one can put their finger on who would want to kill him.
Premchand is also the advisor to a non-governmental organisation – The Corinth/Cedar Hill Coordinating Committee.
Through the committee, assistance is granted by the distribution of hampers, coordination with other agencies to get help, financial advice and other forms of help.
He too encouraged distressed persons to reach out to another for assistance.
Premchand told AZP News, “Right now, the community has been operating in fear. Everyone is more or less staying inside and the community is very quiet. The mental state of the entire community right now is low.”
Preach a message of hope
Dr Deyalsingh said, “Our leaders need to understand the state of the economy, the mental fallout of the pandemic, the helpless situation people find themselves in, the feeling no one cares is too much for persons for some to handle and they have to start preaching a message of hope and a better future.”
Giving a depressed couple Prozac for depression was only one aspect of treatment he said.
The doctor said, “We need to provide financial assistance and give persons a sense of hope, a knowing that someone is there watching their backs until they can catch themselves and provide a sense of a future. We need to prioritise dealing with the suffering of our fellow citizens and not let them think all doors are shut.”
Recommendations
Dr Deyalsingh told AZP News, “If persons don’t reach out it is difficult to assist. Sometimes others too caught up in their own problems to give of themselves to assist.”
Some might be so caught up in their own problems, that they may not even be aware of others who were facing trying times.
He said there have been increasing calls for help on hotlines.
With people being laid off from their jobs, Dr Deyalsingh is suggesting that the employers of such individuals provide a list of persons to the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Social Development so that officials can reach out to them.
He said the Ministry of Labour can engage in retraining and job placement as well as to form groups so persons can be aware that they were not alone and social workers can advise citizens on what the aid government can provide.
Ex-employers should also let their Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) department offer counseling and then transfer persons to public mental health clinics for further support.
There is also a need to expedite applications and bureaucracy to get immediate help.
“Sometimes dealing with the red tape to get relief can future frustrate an individual and add to cumulative stress,” Dr Deyalsingh said.
He is also suggesting that religious groups work together with mental health services as some persons used religion as a means of support and hope.
And there needs to be an increased public awareness of where persons can get help Dr Deyalsingh said.
