Psychologist warns after 3 deaths, 1 attempt in 4 days: Take suicide seriously

RYAN HAMILTON-DAVIS AND PAULA LINDO

Psychologist and member of the UWI Covid19 Task Force Dr Katija Khan called for people to look out for signs that your loved ones may be contemplating taking their own life, and to take these signs seriously.

Over the past week there were four reports of people attempting to take their own lives – two of whom were under 18.

Only one of the four, an 11-year-old Tobagonian boy, survived. The other three, a Dan Kelly, Laventille, man, a prisoner at the Port of Spain prison and a 17-year-old girl, were all found dead.

On Saturday, the girl was found dead at a house on Sunshine Avenue, San Juan.

On Friday, the 11-year-old boy was found in distress at his home in Tobago. Sources told Newsday that he was assisted by friends and neighbours, then revived by officers of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Newsday understands he was in a stable condition at the Scarborough General Hospital up to press time.

On Thursday, the Prison Service confirmed that Matthew Woods, who was remanded in the Port of Spain Prison on kidnapping charges, was found dead in his cell. There were no marks of violence and no evidence of foul play.

On Wednesday, two hours after 29-year-old mother of four Sherian Huggins was hacked to death by a close male relative, the relative suspected of the act, identified as Kevon Harris was found dead in Woodford Square.

Khan: Look for the signs

Khan, a clinical psychologist,  said there are several signs that people could look out for, the most obvious of which is when people talk about hurting themselves or ending their life.

“Sometimes we like to say, culturally, that people are looking for attention, and I want us to start taking it more seriously and see it as a cry for help.”

Adding to the list of signs, Khan said, "If you notice that a person is withdrawing. If you are noticing a change in their usual behaviour – like they seem sadder or more agitated. If they sound hopeless and begin talking about life not being worth living, or confessing that they feel as though there is no hope for the future, these are all signs that people should be wary of.

Khan called for TT to normalise asking for help and showing support to each other in stressful times because some people might see the signs and not know where to go to for help.

With TT having the third highest suicide rate in the Caribbean, Khan said the country was already at risk, even without the added uncertainty and stress coming out of the covid19 pandemic.

She said, with the spread of covid19, people – both adults and children – were under higher levels of stress.

Noting that it was especially troubling every time there was news of a child dying by suicide, Khan called for people to pay more attention to the mental health of vulnerable groups and provide help for families to recover after someone tries to take their own life.

“I know we’re focused on the public health measures for covid19 but we also have to recognise the significant strain it’s putting on everyone’s mental health, whether adults or children. We know there’s an increased risk of domestic violence as well. So these social problems, we’re going to see them at increased levels.

"That means we need more resources, more support for people and more recognition that it’s a problem.”

Help is available

But there is help for people who are contemplating taking their own lives. For children, Khan said people could consider calling Childline 800-4321, or dialling 131 for its hotline, or, they can contact the Children’s Authority at 627-0748, 623-7555, or by dialling 996.

Several organisations are also offering covid19-related hotlines, Khan said. Organisations like the TT Association of Psychologists continue to provide services.

People can also call the emergency services – 999, 811 or 555 – to try to get professional help.

At the community level, people can reach out to religious leaders, whether a pastor, priest, pundit or  imam, and, barring that, people can also reach out to a friend for help and support.

“I think the important thing is we have to let people know it’s okay to talk about their mental health struggles, it’s okay to ask for help. We have to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.”

“If you realise someone is more stressed out than usual, if you realise they’re not coping, especially in the case of children, and that they’re acting out, you might want to ask yourself if it’s because they’re struggling to deal with everything that’s going on.

"So let’s be a little more kind and compassionate and reach out and ask people how they’re doing and be willing to listen.”