The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is drawing national attention to a concerning trend in suicide cases recorded across the island this year.

This is in light of the untimely passing of Tyra Spaulding, a 26-year-old accountant and finalist in the 2023 Miss Universe Jamaica competition.

The JCF reports that between January and September 2025, a total of 44 suicides were recorded, compared to 53 cases for the same period in 2024. This represents a 16.9 per cent year-on-year decline.

At face value, this decline appears positive; however, the monthly breakdown reveals a troubling pattern. “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. July 2025 recorded 8 suicides, a 33 per cent increase over July 2024 – while August and September rose by 20 per cent and 25 per cent respectively compared with the same months last year,” the JCF said.

The data also point to geographic shifts. In 2024, St James, St Elizabeth, St Catherine South and St Thomas all recorded notable spikes.

The JCF further revealed that in 2025, St Catherine North has been disproportionately represented, recording 4 cases in July alone. This underlines that suicide is not a uniform national issue but often reflects localised socio-economic or community pressures.

“Gender continues to be a critical dimension. The overwhelming majority of suicides remain among males. However, there are indications that suicides among women, while still relatively low, may be edging upwards. 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, or social factors that require tailored responses,” the JCF added.

As law enforcement, the JCF highlights that they recognise that suicide is not solely a policing matter but a broader public health and social challenge. “We therefore call on all relevant stakeholders, including public and mental health professionals, social workers, educators, community leaders, and faith-based organisations, to intensify their interventions,” the JCF said, emphasising that coordinated action is urgently needed to strengthen community resilience, provide counselling and support services, and respond effectively to the vulnerabilities that may be driving these increases.