Suicide cases climb 15.8 per cent, men hardest hit

Jamaica has recorded a notable 15.8 per cent increase in reported suicide cases through September 7 of this year, compared to the corresponding period in 2025. Data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Information and Statistics Management Division reveal that there were 44 suicide cases over the review period compared with 38 cases during the same time frame last year. However, it was 12 per cent less than the 50 suicide cases reported over the period in 2024. The latest figures came as the world observed World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, with a focus on raising awareness and strengthening efforts to prevent suicide. Notably, there has been a significant gender disparity in the suicides recorded so far this year. Of the 44 reported cases, 39 were males, and five were females. Men aged 21 to 30 accounted for the highest number of suicide cases, with seven, followed by those aged 11 to 20, 31 to 40 and 61 to 70, which recorded six cases each. Meanwhile, St James recorded the highest number of suicide cases, with seven, followed by St Mary with five and St Catherine South with four. The data also revealed that one member of the JCF was among the suicide cases. The JCF noted that the case involved a male member aged 21 to 30, and was recorded in the St James Police Division. According to the JCF, no suicide cases were reported among JCF members in 2024 and 2025. Psychologist Dr Leahcim Semaj, reacting to the latest JCF data, says the gender disparity in suicide cases is linked to how men are socialised from an early age to suppress their emotions. “From the very beginning, the way we raised boys…so big man don't cry,” Dr Semaj said. Additionally, Semaj believes that more women attempt suicide than men; however, he noted, that more men are successful because they use more violent methods to commit the act. “So that's why the figures tend to be so lopsided. Suicide is a cry for help. But women are smart. Most of the time, they cry for help, and they take all the pills. But then they leave the bottle right next to the bed. So they get saved,” Dr Semaj said. “Oftentimes they call everybody on their contact list and tell them what they just did. So there's a chance that somebody will find them because you called out for help,” he continued. “Similarly, if you slit your wrists trying to bleed out and you make some calls and so on, many times somebody finds you. “But men more commonly [put] a rope around the neck or a gunshot to the head. So that chances of successful suicide is greater,” he added. While older men continue to account for a significant share of Jamaica's suicide deaths, the data showed that suicidal behaviour is not confined to older age groups, with cases recorded among males as young as 11 to 20. Dr Semaj said young people tend to become overwhelmed when they feel they have no way out of their problems and pointed to issues such as punishment, academic failure and teasing as potential triggers. “You will find young people, they don't have a way out. You can see something that looks almost as triggers. Say a child was punished for something and the child just go in the room and hang themselves or the child failed an exam and was being teased and so on all of that so you will find those kinds of issues,” he said. Meanwhile, the psychologist noted that suicide rates are high among older men who have fewer friends or are oftentimes abandoned by family members. “Literally the loneliest people in Jamaica are old men,” Dr Semaj said. “Often time the decline starts, you're not taking your medication, you're not following the medical treatment, because, taking medication is a technical thing, married men have a longer life expectancy.” Dr Semaj argued that suicide and homicide have similar underlying factors, with Jamaicans often using violence to resolve disputes. “Homicide and suicide are two sides of the same coin because the common element is that people who have a problem with problem solving and conflict resolution oftentimes take a fatal approach,” he said. The psychologist noted that suicide is often preceded by warning signs. He made reference to case of former Miss Jamaica Universe pageant contestant Tyra Spaulding who was found dead at her home in September last year in a suspected case of suicide.

Psychologist Dr Leahcim Semaj,

According to Dr Semaj, an analysis of a series of videos shared by Spaulding to her YouTube channel showed signs such as suicidal ideation, hopelessness, desperation, spiritual conflict, loneliness, relationship difficulties and disillusionment. “She was broadcasting her suicidal intent and the emotional pain that she was going through. But even though she was broadcasting it. I'm sure people were watching them and seeing it as entertainment. So, those are the things that, many times, people who are contemplating suicide they will say it. They will talk about it,” he said.

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Former Miss Jamaica Universe contestant found dead at home

To tackle the ongoing issue, the psychologist is calling for the media to be used as a tool to promote mental-health education and reach Jamaicans who may not directly seek professional help. “Given the lack of resources we have, given the lack of facilities, media can reach a whole heap of people,” Dr Semaj said as he recalled previous radio programmes that allowed people to hear discussions about psychological problems and possible solutions without having to identify themselves.