Almost a year after losing her common-law husband, Jeremy Ramcharan, to suicide, Sasha Ramoutar’s life remains in turmoil. With no financial stability and enduring blame from those around her, she struggles to find peace.
“When Jeremy took his life, everything crumbled. I was not only left without a breadwinner but I was also blamed by his family and even some friends. People don’t understand the trauma of being the one left behind,” Ramoutar said.
But Ramoutar is not alone in her grief.
President of the Father’s Association of T&T Rhondall Feeles says many others have been suffering as male suicides in Trinidad and Tobago have reached crisis levels. He said between 2016 and 2019, 371 people took their lives, an average of 93 suicides per year. Comparatively, between 2020 and 2023, 478 people died by suicide—an average of 120 per year.
Saying the issue has been neglected for far too long, Feeles revealed that over 83 per cent of suicides occurring involved men.
“We have been tracking this trend, but authorities only started paying attention now that more young males and juveniles are dying by suicide,” Feeles said.
Data from the Ministry of Health and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) show that between 2020 and 2021, the country recorded 320 suicides, with men accounting for 80 per cent of the deaths. In 2022, there were 142 suicides, with 123 males (87 per cent) and 19 females (13 per cent). In 2023, the total number of suicides dropped to 104, but 81 of the deceased were men (78 per cent).
Feeles said that despite repeated appeals to government officials, including the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, little has been done.
“We reached out to various government leaders, warning them that male suicides were spiralling out of control, but nobody did anything to help,” he lamented.
He said in 2018, there were 246 suicides, and 204 of them were men.
“That’s an 84 per cent increase in male suicides over the years, and still, nothing has been done,” he said.
He said the highest suicide rates were recorded in the Southern and Central Divisions.
“Financial challenges are the number one trigger as it relates to male suicide. We also have other triggers like separation from family, divorce, parental alienation, and parental child abduction. Third is physical illness, but we need comprehensive research,” Feeles said.
He also called for a national suicide prevention strategy that prioritises mental health support for men.
“Without targeted interventions, we will continue to lose our fathers, sons, and brothers,” Feeles said.
Psychologist:
Culturally sensitive interventions needed
Meanwhile, Dr Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor, a psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) said while male suicide is cause for concern, focus should be given to creating strong support systems to eliminate suicides.
“Mental health interventions must be culturally sensitive. Different cultures have varying perceptions of mental health and suicide, and understanding these can improve the effectiveness of prevention strategies. For example, addressing the unique challenges faced by the East Indian population, who have higher rates of suicide among its male groups. Tailoring approaches to fit cultural contexts can enhance engagement and support,” she explained.
She noted that the suicide trends in Trinidad and Tobago are similar to those in Guyana and Suriname, where Indo-Caribbean men account for the highest number of deaths by
suicide. Hanging and pesticide poisoning remain the most common methods.
“The rise in male suicides, especially after COVID-19, can be attributed to several primary factors: The pandemic led to widespread job losses, financial instability, and economic uncertainty. Many men, who often feel the societal pressure to be the primary breadwinners, experience heightened stress and anxiety due to financial difficulties,” Dr Nakhid-Chatoor noted.
She said men are less likely to seek help or talk about their feelings.
“The pandemic not only exacerbated existing mental health issues but led to new ones and increased levels of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, which have been linked to higher suicide rates,” she said.
She also noted reports of an increase in domestic violence during the pandemic.
“Many men may not have had access to adequate mental health support during the pandemic, either due to stigma or a lack of available services. Addressing these factors requires a multifaceted approach, including economic support, mental health services, and efforts to reduce stigma around seeking help.”
The Founder of International Men’s Day and lecturer in History at the University of the West Indies, Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, said historical and societal pressures make men particularly vulnerable.
“I believe that in some communities, Indo-Trinidadian boys and men face more family and societal pressures. For instance, a boy who decides to marry a girl who does not belong to his religion or ethnicity might be ostracized. Or he might be facing pressure or bullying because of his sexuality. Parents, guardians, friends, and teachers need to see themselves as counsellors and need to intervene if they notice a change in behaviour or language,” he explained.
Teelucksingh also pointed to stigma as a major obstacle to seeking help.
“Economic issues such as unemployment affect mental health as the male, who is usually seen as the provider and breadwinner, feels useless in the home. This makes the man feel emasculated. When a husband or father is critically ill, it also creates a feeling of hopelessness that leads to depression and/or suicide.”
He said societal expectations contribute to depression.
“Toxic masculinity and societal expectation contribute to suicides and suicidal thoughts. This prevents men from appearing vulnerable or weak. Thus, the man hides his pain, suffering or emotional problems and refuses to seek professional help.”
Teelucksingh said stigma and ignorance about resources remain significant barriers.
“Throughout T&T, there are free mental health services. The Ministry of Health, through the Regional Health Authorities, have established community-based mental health care and outpatient clinics. Men need to be aware of such spaces as the Carenage Mental Health and Wellness Centre. Unfortunately, most of the public are either unaware of these services or feel they don’t need this professional help,” he added.
He said there were several options for relatives of suicide victims.
“They can seek healing through counselling, get support from a religious group or institution, or seek spirituality. The affected relatives need to go into schools and communities and educate others on how to avoid such tragedies.”
Minister of Social Development Donna Cox said that since the Crisis Hotline was established in November 2022, a total of 7,867 calls have been received about suicide ideation, mental health challenges, gender-based violence, families in crisis, and substance abuse. She said the National Family Services assists families who have faced the brunt of suicide.
Facts about suicide- Ministry of Health
Over 700 000 people die globally due to suicide every year
Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally
Males are 2 times more likely to die by suicide globally
Trinidad and Tobago ranks 3rd in the English-speaking Caribbean region for the highest suicide rates
The most common methods used are hanging and pesticide poisoning.
Get Help! Call Hotlines: FAMILY SERVICES – 800-COPE (2673); LIFELINE – 800-5588 / 866-5433 / 220-3636; CHILDLINE – 800-4321 or Dial 131
