JCF reports mid-year surge in suicides despite overall decline in 2025

Jamaica has recorded a troubling mid-year surge in suicides even as overall numbers for 2025 remain lower than last year, according to new data released Sunday by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Between January and September, the country logged 44 suicides — a 16.9 per cent decrease from the 53 cases recorded during the same period in 2024. But the JCF warned that the decline masks a worrying pattern, with suicides rising sharply in recent months.

“Suicides were consistently lower in the first six months of 2025 compared with 2024, but the second half of the year has seen a reversal,” the JCF said in a statement. July recorded eight suicides, a 33 per cent increase over July 2024, while August and September posted respective increases of 20 and 25 per cent.

The JCF also highlighted a geographic shift in the data. Last year, spikes were seen in St James, St Elizabeth, St Catherine South, and St Thomas. This year, however, St Catherine North has emerged as a hotspot, with four cases reported in July alone.

“This underlines that suicide is not a uniform national issue, but often reflects localised socio-economic or community pressures,” the statement noted.

Gender disparities remain stark, with men making up the overwhelming majority of cases. However, police said there are signs of a slight uptick in suicides among women. The warning follows last week’s death of 26-year-old Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, who was found hanging in her home. Police are investigating her death as a suspected suicide.

“This signals the need for urgent gender-sensitive interventions, as women’s experiences with self-harm often differ and may be linked to domestic, relational, and social factors,” the JCF said, calling suicide a “broader public health and social challenge” rather than solely a policing matter.

The force urged public health agencies, social workers, educators, community leaders, and faith-based groups to strengthen outreach and counselling services to stem the trend.

A total of 67 suicides were reported in Jamaica in 2024, the highest figure since 2000, when 77 cases were recorded. Previous years saw 66 cases in 2023, 63 in 2022, 50 in 2021, 43 in 2020, and 58 in 2019.

Individuals struggling with mental health issues are encouraged to call the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline at 888-639-5433 for confidential assistance.