By Sue-Ann Wayow
TRINIDAD and Tobago suicide rate has increased annually for the past three years with 128 persons taking their lives in 2021.
This was revealed by Director of Mental Health Unit Dr Hazel Othello on Wednesday during the Ministry of Health’s virtual media conference.
Using information provided by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), she disclosed that in 2019, 92 persons committed suicide, in 2020, 104 took their lives and in 2021, 128 individuals died at their own hands.
She said the most recent World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics based on 2019 suicide rates showed that this country had a national average of 8.3 suicides per 100,000.
“That 2019 figure compared very well with the global average of nine per 100,000 and the regional average for Latin America and the Caribbean of nine per 100,000. So we were below the national average in 2019.”
Showing graphs, Dr Othello said, “Completed suicide is more common among men than women.”
In 2020, 83 men committed suicide while 21 females did the same.
Dr Othello said suicide could happen with any age group however, it was more prevalent with adolescents, adults and adults in the working-age group.
Admitting that suicide entailed complex issues, she gave details on what suicide behaviour looked like, signs that persons can look for and how to get help if someone was feeling suicidal.
Last weekend, a couple committed suicide in front of their young child.
Relatives said they had no signs that Steve Jugmohan, 40, and Sharlene Ramkissoon, 38, of Princes Town would have ended their lives so tragically.
In February, David Sookram, 38, ended his life after attempting to kill his wife.
Dr Othello has on many occasions acknowledged that during the Covid-19 pandemic, mental stress was an additional factor to consider as persons would have lost loved ones, jobs and for some, hope.
She encouraged those who may be having negative feelings to reach out to the several community clinics available, to call the Lifeline hotline at 800-5588, 866-5433 or 220-3636 and to visit Findcarett.com for additional support.
Dr Othello also mentioned a virtual training resource arranged by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for persons wanting to assist others and therefore preventing suicide.
