New data released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) shows a 17 per cent decline in suicides this year compared to the same period in 2024.

Between January and September 2025, there were 44 recorded cases of suicide, down from 53 during the same nine months last year.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dennis Brooks, who conducted the analysis, said while the overall reduction was encouraging, the numbers reveal troubling patterns that cannot be ignored.

“On the face of it, a drop from 53 cases to 44 is good news. But when you look closely, the decrease happened mostly in the early months of 2025. By mid-year, we started seeing sudden spikes, particularly in July when suicides jumped to eight, compared to just three for the same month last year,” Brooks explained.

In August, the numbers also rose, with six cases recorded, double the three cases logged in August 2024. By contrast, earlier in the year, parishes such as St. James and Westmoreland recorded only single cases, compared to much higher figures in 2024.

The data revealed notable geographic shifts in where suicides are occurring. In 2024, St. James had been among the parishes with the highest numbers. However, this year, St. Catherine North emerged as a troubling hotspot.

“In July alone, St. Catherine North accounted for four suicides, which is alarming for a single parish in just one month,” Brooks highlighted. “Other parishes showing worrying signs this year include Clarendon, St. Andrew Central, and Westmoreland. These are areas we need to pay close attention to.”

The gender breakdown of the cases also remains heavily tilted toward men. The JCF figures show that the vast majority of suicides this year involved males, with women accounting for only a handful of cases. But Brooks cautioned against downplaying the female statistics.

“Yes, men dominate the numbers, but we’re starting to see slow increases among women. Even though the numbers are smaller, they are just as concerning because female suicides often follow repeated episodes of self-harm. These early warning signs must not be overlooked,” he warned.

Brooks stressed that the figures show suicide is not a uniform problem across Jamaica, but one that varies by place, time, and gender.

“What the data tells us is that suicide requires time-sensitive, place-sensitive, and gender-sensitive strategies,” he said. “For example, July and August are clearly emerging as high-risk months, so we must scale up prevention during that period. In the same way, St. Catherine North has become a danger zone, and that means more targeted interventions are needed there.”

The JCF analysis suggests that prevention efforts should focus on community engagement, early detection of suicidal behaviour, and increased support services during high-risk times. It also recommends that mental health resources be redirected to parishes showing sharp increases.

“The decline from 53 cases last year to 44 this year shows progress,” Brooks concluded. “But without urgent, targeted interventions, these mid-year spikes could reverse the gains we’ve made. Suicide prevention cannot be one-size-fits-all; we need to respond to the specific realities of time, place, and gender if we are to save lives.”