Denise Clarke, Staff Reporter
THE rate at which people in Jamaica are committing suicide has doubled within the last six years.
Already, two persons, both senior citizens, have committed suicide since the start of this year, the latest case being Exford Henry Gayle, a 79-year-old pensioner in Westmoreland. Mr. Gayle, who suffered from prostate cancer, was reportedly depressed about his condition.
Figures from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) the information arm of the police, show that 73 persons took their own lives last year. This represents a nearly 100 per cent increase over the figure for 1996, which showed 37 reported cases of suicide.
Since 1996, the suicide rate has been climbing steadily, with 43 incidents in 1997; 72 in 1998; 53 in 1999 and 80 in 2000.
Depression is the main reason why so many people are taking their own lives, said psychiatrist, Dr. Bailey Davidson. She points to a report from the Pan-American Health Organisa-tion (PAHO), which states that within the next 10-15 years, depression will be the commonest cause of ill-health in persons.
"The level of crime in the society can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder," Dr. Davidson said. "This can cause depression for some people and because a lot of people are doing it, they see it as an option."
Loss of job, domestic and financial problems, as well as the level of crime and violence in the society, are factors which may contribute to a person's decision to commit suicide, the psychiatrist said. She also points to chronic illness and life-related problems such as loneliness.
"Anyone can be at risk," Dr. Davidson noted. "...but people suffering from chronic illnesses, mood disorders, or who have inherent problems can be classified as high-risk."
Friends and family members, she said, should refer these persons for counselling, if it is suspected that one might be contemplating suicide. In counselling, these persons can learn problem-solving methods, and to see the problem in its many facets.
The most common method used by 30 of the 73 persons last year, was hanging. Eleven others ingested poison, while four persons set themselves on fire. The remainder used other methods including drowning, stabbing or shooting.
...Loneliness driving the elderly to end their lives
WESTERN BUREAU:
LONELINESS and desperation are the main reasons which drive elderly people to commit suicide, said chairman of the National Council for Senior Citizens, Dr. Denise Eldemire-Shearer.
Some older persons who become senile, and are suffering from age-related illnesses, commit suicide because they do not want to be a burden to their families, she said.
This might explain why 25 per cent or 18 of the 73 people who committed suicide in 2001, were over the age of 50. Of this number, five were in the 76-80 age group.
"If you talk to any older person they will tell you that they were brought up in an era where they were supposed to take care of themselves. It is not a very comfortable situation for them to sit back and allow someone else to take care of them," she said.
"If you look at the rate per age group, the elderly are among the lowest," Dr. Eldemire-Shearer noted. "...but suicide among any age group is unacceptable."
Psychiatrist, Dr. Bailey Davidson, said that although all age groups are affected by suicide, the adolescent and geriatric populations are most at risk. "They (older people) have achieved their life's goals, but they lose their friends, their children have migrated, and there is not much socialising so they feel lonely and isolated. Here again is where depression plays a part and they see suicide as an option."
Many elderly people are living lonely and depressed lives, but do not resort to taking drastic actions such as committing suicide, noted Dr. Eldemire-Shearer.
"The issue of loneliness among the elderly needs to be addressed. Communication is also very important. What I might consider as a burden, other family members might be glad to offer their help," she said.
Dr. Eldemire-Shearer said there are certain questions which need to be answered concerning suicide among the elderly. Are families able to recognise concerns in their older people? Are the elderly aware of where they can get help? Where is the church in all of this in terms of a support group? What more can we do to identify these situations?
These are questions not only for the Government, she said, but the community and the society at large.
- D. C.
