THE covid19 pandemic has not affected the trends of suicide in Trinidad and Tobago or the factors which lead to them.
Health Ministry mental health director Dr Hazel Othello made this comment during a virtual meeting with members of Parliament's Social Services and Public Administration Committee on Friday.
She also said the term "committed suicide" is no longer publicly used because it gives the impression that suicide is something criminal. Terms such as "dying by suicide" or "lives lost due to suicide" are considered more sensitive to people who have lost friends or relatives to suicide.
Committee chairman Independent Senator Paul Richards observed increases in suicides in TT from 2019-2021. These figures were 92 suicides in 2019 (79 men, 13 women), 104 in 2020 (83 men, 21 women) and 128 in 2021 (110 men and 18 women). Richards cited data from previous studies which said TT recorded the third highest number of mental health issues in the Caribbean and was the 7th highest in terms of suicides.
Referring to Shaline Ramkissoon, 38, and her common-law husband Steve "Ricky" Jugmohan, who were found dead in their La Paille Road, Princes Town home on March 19, Richards asked if the pandemic had contributed to any increase in suicides.
Othello said, "During the pandemic, we have not seen any changes in these trends. Those trends remain consistent."
She added that the number of completed suicides has increased over the last few years.
Richards asked what factors caused people to contemplate or die from suicide. In what appeared to be a reference to Ramkissoon and Jugmohan's deaths, he suggested economic challenges seem to be a contributing factor.
Othello said, "We are never absolutely sure of the cause, because of course, the persons whose story is being told are no longer with us."
That information is often obtained from sources such as relatives or friends of the deceased.
She said the police also provided the Health Ministry with information on suicide statistics.
There were. she said, "A large number of suspected reasons or contributing factors towards those suicides. They include financial challenges. They include social problems, interpersonal conflict, substance use-related conditions."
Some suicides may be connected to people having previous mental health issues, such as depression.
Othello told committee members the causes were multi-factoral.
In a signed letter written to their children, Ramkissoon and Jughmohan hinted at experiencing financial challenges.
"We are so sorry for what we have done but we are in too deep with little or no time. We really tried but we never got through. (Daughter’s name), please help take care of (son’s name)," the letter said.
Othello said, "What continues to be the trend is that males are more likely to complete the act of suicide."
Referring to the statistics Richards mentioned, Othello said they reflected the number of people who actually died by suicide.
But, she continued, an examination of the entire spectrum of what is called suicide be
