The troubling suicide issue

The Bahamas is quietly facing a mental health emergency, and the numbers are no longer possible to ignore.

Suicides are rising, and even in close-knit communities like Abaco, residents are reaching breaking points that too often end in tragedy.

Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder II recently called attention to this crisis, urging Abaconians – and Bahamians everywhere – to seek help if they are feeling overwhelmed or depressed.

His message was timely, and it must be echoed loudly and urgently across the country.

In recent weeks, a series of incidents on Great Guana Cay has shaken the small island to its core, involving both Bahamian residents and foreign nationals.

The cases, Pinder noted, are not isolated to any one demographic.

Suicide, he reminded us, does not discriminate.

He urged his constituents to talk to someone, whether it be a mental health provider or a trusted friend.

Pinder’s concern is not misplaced.

According to police, there were eight suicides in 2024, a 33 percent increase from the six reported in 2023.

Suicide attempts dropped from 80 in 2023 to 50 in 2024, but that is little comfort when we consider that each completed suicide represents a life that could not be reached in time.

Most of these people were between the ages of 18 and 60, spanning the working-age population.

Even more disturbing is that one of the victims was a minor.

The psychological toll being borne by Bahamians of all backgrounds is immense and multifaceted.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville earlier this year acknowledged the surge in suicides and outlined the government’s response, including the deployment of 41 community-based mental health nurses.

While this is a welcome step, it is only one piece of a much larger puzzle.

The shortage of psychiatrists in the public healthcare system continues to limit access to critical care, especially for those in remote communities and on the Family Islands.

We must also confront the persistent criminalization of suicide attempts in The Bahamas.

Our laws still treat attempted suicide as a crime – an approach long abandoned by most of the world.

According to Decriminalize Suicide Worldwide, The Bahamas is one of only 25 countries where attempting to take one’s own life is still illegal.

This outdated and punitive policy does nothing but compound the stigma around mental illness and discourage vulnerable people from seeking help.

There are many layers to this issue.

The effects of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic still linger, particularly in communities like Abaco that were hit hardest.

Pinder noted that at least some of the cases in his constituency may be Dorian-related.

Traumatic events of that magnitude leave lasting scars.

The loss, displacement, and economic disruption caused by these disasters continue to affect the mental health of residents years later.

But even beyond the shocks of natural disasters and pandemics, the everyday reality of life in The Bahamas can be heavy.

Social isolation, economic strain, and the breakdown of traditional support systems are all contributing to a growing sense of hopelessness.

According to the Ministry of Health’s 2019 STEPS survey, more than 17,000 Bahamians – roughly 6.3 percent of the population – had seriously considered attempting suicide in the year prior.

Alarmingly, 2.6 percent had an actual plan.

Studies have repeatedly shown that heavy social media use is linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety – both of which are major risk factors for suicide.

At the same time, many young people feel pressure to present curated, perfect versions of their lives online, while struggling silently with internal chaos.

The disconnect between perception and reality can be unbearable.

The family is the first line of defense against despair.

It is in the home that individuals first learn that they are loved, valued, and needed.

But in too many households, these assurances are missing.

Many Bahamians are growing up in environments devoid of emotional support and validation.

Add to that the growing detachment in neighborhoods where people no longer speak to their neighbors, and it becomes clear how easy it is for someone to feel completely alone.

Social media has only deepened the disconnect for many, especially among teenagers.

When community ties erode, the consequences can be fatal.

And then there is the issue of economic stress.

The rising cost of living has placed enormous pressure on Bahamian families.

Inflation has driven up the price of food, fuel, and housing, while wages have remained largely stagnant.

We cannot ignore this as a nation – something is clearly wrong.