NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas government says on a yearly basis, the country could experience as many as 400 attempted suicides annually.
Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville told reporters that more mental health and psychiatric support is needed for at-risk people to reduce these incidents.
He said, “We are concerned about suicide in the country. This is the month for suicide (awareness) and I must report that on a yearly basis, the country could experience as (many) as 400 attempted suicides per year.”
His statement follows police reports that two people attempted to commit suicide last weekend, including a 24-year-old woman who attempted to jump from Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. In February, a wife and mother jumped to her death from the same bridge. In the other case last weekend, a 14-year-old girl attempted suicide by cutting herself.
Darville said the Mental Health Act, which was passed in Parliament in 2022, should be brought into force soon and that the legislation will create an environment to provide better mental health services throughout the country.
The Health Minister said resources are available for people struggling with mental health but conceded that there is a deficiency in psychological support services in the country.
He said the government is partnering with private sector groups to help the Ministry of Health meet its mandate to address mental illness and that officials are putting mechanisms in place to allow people to seek mental health care at public clinics.
“Mental health is a global problem. In The Bahamas, we have noticed instances of increased mental health challenges throughout the country and that goes from anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disease.
“Resources are in place. We are now beginning to put [services] in place at the community level, the clinics, so that individuals who suffer from mental health conditions can access these services,” Darville added.
