The Jamaica Constabulary Force JCF has expressed concern about a worrying increase in the number of suicides, especially cases involving older men.
The JCF is therefore calling for greater attention to be paid to mental health and suicide prevention in Jamaica.
Data from the JCF indicate that there were 27 reported suicides between last November and January, a significant increase compared to previous years.
Of these, 23 were men, most of them being over the age of 40 years.
For last month, the JCF registered 14 reported suicides.
In comparison, January 2021 and January 2022 had 3 cases each.
For last December, 10 suicides were registered compared to 7 in December 2021 and 3 in December 2020.
The JCF noted that the yuletide season is often correlated with an increase in self-reporting of higher levels of mental ill-health, and that this is a cause for concern.