Bullying victim seeks help for mental health struggles, urges others to do the same

WESTERN BUREAU:

FACING A dual struggle with mental health and bullying, Wayne Lawrence is not only determined to overcome these challenges, but urging other men who are facing similar concerns to not give in by isolating themselves, but to seek help.

Lawrence is a 21-year-old Montego Bay-based security guard. He said he is now seeking the help that he needs to fight his mental health challenges, which became quite pronounced two years ago when he turned 19 years old.

“I am confident I will beat this,” said the resolute Lawrence, who admitted to feeling suicidal at times, but who has resorted to playing basketball and listening to music to suppress those ugly thoughts. “I believe that is why I am still here, and I am doing everything I can to fight it, because I don’t like feeling this way.”

According to data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force Statistics and Information Management Unit, 67 suicide deaths were reported in 2024, of which 61 were men.

Based on his recollection, Lawrence was quite normal until he learnt that the man he thought was his biological father was not.

“I began having a lack of trust,” said Lawrence.

After high school, Lawrence struggled financially, as he was not able to secure a job, and felt like there was no one to turn to. In addition, he was bullied and labelled as a homosexual during basketball training, which played on his mind.

“I like to do fashion, I like to colour my hair and doing that, I brought attention to myself in a bad light. I have been humiliated by the words people say, insinuating that I am a homosexual,” said Lawrence. “I am not, but that has added to my insecurities and to the very thoughts of me wanting to commit suicide.”

In a recent social media post, which showed Lawrence crying, his mentor Levar Rose told him, “It is not your time to leave this earth, bro. You have so much potential; show it to the world. God gave you a second chance, don’t slap Him in the face and take your life.”

UNRESPONSIVE AFTER A FALL

In December 2024, Lawrence had a near-death experience when he became unresponsive after falling and hitting his head during a basketball tournament. Luckily, an off-duty firefighter, Mikhail Smith, rushed to his assistance and used his first-aid skills to resuscitate him.

Since the troubling social media post, Rose has accompanied Lawrence to the National Council on Drug Abuse and the psychiatric department at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay to help him source the help that he realises he needs.

Noted psychologist Dr Leahcim Semaj says while men are usually reluctant to speak about mental issues because society sometimes sees it as a kind of weakness, it is important for them to speak out. .

“Once there is anything about mental health, people automatically assume the worst of you. It is a problem for men that they do not speak. It is because they are supposed to be tough and strong and can solve all the problems,” said Semaj, noting that most men don’t voluntarily submit themselves to getting help.

“One of the rules of thumb is, if you hear somebody talking about suicide and such, they should not be alone for the next 24 hours. Somebody should be with them, just in case ... because anything is possible.”

Now that he is getting the help he needs, Lawrence is urging other men, who might be facing mental health issues, to seek the help they need.

“I want to be a beacon of hope to others, or the voice for those who cannot speak. It’s difficult, and in Jamaica it’s very hard to express your feelings and be vulnerable with someone else,” Lawrence said.

ashley.anguin@gleanerjm.com