Deadly men - Suicide data reveals male weakness

THE DISPROPORTIONATE number of males to females that have committed suicide have been attributed to men employing more deadly means when attempting the act.

An examination of official records indicate that between 2006 to 2009 reveals that the percentage of male to female suicides was 87 per cent to 13 per cent, or a ratio of approximately seven males to one female.

Approximately 779 Jamaicans committed suicide over the three-year period, with males accounting for a significant number of suicides, according to data provided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force Statistics Department.

The data revealed that 682 males committed suicide over the period when compared to 97 for females.

The parish of St Andrew, which has the largest urban population, had the highest number of suicides with Manchester being the rural parish recording the most.

Yesterday, Manchester police were on the verge of adding another male victim to the suicide numbers in the parish after the body of a 47-year-old man was found hanging from an ackee tree at his home in Lancaster district.

He has been identified as Paul Taylor, a driver in the parish.

Hanging from a rope

According to the Newport Police, around 1 p.m., relatives discovered his body hanging from a length of rope which was tied to an ackee tree at the rear of the premises and summoned the police.

The Planning Institute of Jamaica's (PIOJ) 2009 Economic and Social Survey Jamaica revealed that 98 persons were treated in hospital last year for attempted suicide, 72 of these being women.

Dr Donovan Thomas of Choose Life International, believes the actual number of deaths from suicides could be much higher due to under-reporting. He also said men are more successful at taking their own lives.

"Many more females attempt suicide but more males actually end up killing themselves," said Thomas.

He attributes this to men using more drastic measures.

"When a man decides it's over, it's usually over. He uses the gun, he hangs himself, he does something where the return is unlikely," Thomas said.

Females' methods

According to the specialist, women usually employ less tragic means such as drug overdose, and slashing their wrists.

"Sometimes women will call for help that they've taken an overdose and that they've changed their minds about killing themselves and then they're rushed to the hospital."

Thomas added that psychologically, women are generally able to share more about what's happening to them, unlike men who are more likely to suppress their feelings.

"Also, in the context of religion, more women are involved in religious activity and church, which helps to increase the threshold for survival," said Thomas.

Thomas also said that socialisation was also another major factor that played a significant role, noting that boys were traditionally taught it was inappropriate to express their feelings.