Dr Georgia Rose, senior clinical psychologist at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), is calling on men to seek help and openly express their emotions to address the high suicide rate among males in Jamaica.

Statistics reveal that over a five to ten-year period, Jamaica has an average suicide rate of two per 100,000 people, with men accounting for over 80 per cent of these cases—52 out of 63 recorded suicides.

Dr Rose attributed these alarming statistics to cultural norms that discourage men from acknowledging or sharing their feelings.

“Men have been taught not to experience, acknowledge, or express their emotions,” she explained. This societal expectation often leads men to struggle silently and avoid seeking help.

Dr Rose pointed out that while both genders may attempt suicide, men tend to use more fatal methods, increasing their risk. Men’s isolation and lack of emotional support can exacerbate their struggles, often leading them to use substances such as alcohol and marijuana as coping mechanisms.

“The increased use of these substances can diminish healthy coping abilities and heighten the risk of severe mental health issues, including suicide,” she said.

Despite these challenges, Dr Rose noted a positive trend: more men are beginning to seek help at mental health clinics across the island. This shift is seen as a promising step towards dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health and emotional vulnerability among men.

“There is a segment of the male population that is now visiting mental health clinics to seek support for managing stress and other challenges,” Dr Rose reported.

She encouraged men to embrace the idea that seeking help is not only acceptable but beneficial.

“No matter how difficult or insurmountable things may seem, there is always hope. Many individuals who have reached out for help have walked away with positive outcomes,” she concluded.