Latoya Grindley, Features Writer

Shock, sadness, confusion and guilt are just some of the emotions that families and friends experience when a loved one commits suicide. Suicide is the act of taking one's own life.

Since the start of the year, 19 people have committed suicide in Jamaica. Dr Rose Johnson, a clinical psychologist based at the Institute for Psychological Development, says suicide is often seen as way out of a situation.

"It has to do with the interpretation of a situation and not seeing any other way out of that situation," she said.

No options

As a result, she says suicides cannot be attributed to any one cause.

"Persons who commit suicide are often pushed to a place with no options. These issues vary from person to person and people react differently to issues."

Often, after a suicide, friends and family members express shock and even anger. This is because they claim there were no signs that the victim was experiencing problems or depression. However, Johnson says there are signs which are sometimes overlooked or misinterpreted.

The signs

"Generally, when a person is suicidal, there are signs. However, sometimes they are not paid much attention or are not taken seriously, but the signs are there if you know what to look for," she said.

She continued: "If a person has been depressed or is depressed and then starts to behave like the problem has suddenly been solved, this person could be at greatest risk."

According to Johnson, this can be an important indication that the person has made the decision to take his or her own life and sees it as the best option to solve the problem that is being faced.

Johnson says while some suicides are premeditated, some are done on impulse.

Generally, she notes that men tend to use more destructive methods to commit suicide.

More lethal methods

"Women make more suicidal attempts than men. Men choose to use more lethal methods like hanging or using a weapon like a handgun."

One of the suicide cases this year was that of a 12-year-old girl who reportedly hanged herself in her bedroom minutes after having an argument with a sibling. Another was that of 28-year-old Steven John Britton, whom the police say ended his life by jumping from the 10th floor of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel just over a week ago.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com