In light of the increase in suicide cases in Jamaica between January and May, Director of Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse in the Ministry of Health, Dr Maureen Irons-Morgan, wants persons with significant symptoms of depression, or other mental disorders, to seek medical help, immediately.

Between January and May this year, there have been 24 reported cases of suicides, compared to 12 for the same period last year. Addressing a JIS Think Tank session on Tuesday, Dr Irons-Morgan emphasised that suicide is preventable and does not occur suddenly.

"It is the result of a range of behaviours from the very beginning, of having suicidal thoughts, to having a plan, to attempt and execute successfully," she explained.

clinical or major depression

She noted that over 90 per cent of the persons who committed suicide had a mental health problem. Fifty per cent of the diagnosed cases were clinical or major depression. Other mental health problems were schizophrenia, personality disorders and genetic factors, risk factors for suicide.

"Depression has recognised signs and symptoms and, if someone experiences these signs and symptoms or if they recognise it in other persons, it is very important to get help and get help early," she advised.

Major triggers that often lead to this state, she noted, include conflicts, feeling of failure, humiliating events, break-ups, loss of status and loss of a job. These often plunge persons into depressive moods which, if unattended, can lead to disastrous occurrences, such as suicides.

Dr Irons-Morgan said that most persons who commit suicide share the idea with someone. However, most persons do not deem it a medical problem and try to talk them out of it.

"Treatment is important, and getting close to the person and hearing what the person is going through is also very important but it is important, if it is significant enough in terms of symptoms, to get intervention from a doctor or mental health provider," she stated.

mental health services

She noted that over the past 60 years, the Government has been improving access to mental health services, by providing community-based mental health services at parish and regional levels.

Each regional health authority has a mental health service, headed by a regional psychiatrist and staffed by community mental health officers, who are assisted by psychiatric aids. Mental health services are provided in 139 mental health clinics. Home-based service is also available for persons unable to visit the public health facilities.

The Ministry of Health also offers a crisis emergency response service in each health region, where persons can contact mental health teams by phone or in person. Persons are advised to call the Ministry of Health at 967-1100 for these numbers. Persons in need of urgent help may also call the Ministry of Health toll free at 1-888-ONE-LOVE or 1888-663-5683. Mentally ill persons are also admitted and treated in all general hospitals in Jamaica.