Tough times leading to suicides, suggests sociologist

A sociologist has suggested that recent suicides are an indication that Barbadians are losing hope in their search for solutions to their problems.

Dr Veronica Evelyn told Barbados TODAY it was evident that many people were struggling to cope with the impacts of not only the COVID-19 pandemic but the rising cost of living and other personal challenges, and felt trapped with nowhere to go or no one to turn to.

“When [a] person gets to a point where they look inside themselves, there is nowhere to go, there is despair, and where there is that loss of hope, where persons cannot see a way out, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘well get out of this life’ because for them that is the only way out,” she said.

“Get out of this life, get out of this bad situation, and so that’s why I think that some persons commit suicide.”

Dr Evelyn said that with the future of the pandemic unknown and supply chains continuing to be disrupted, primarily due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the challenges will persist and people under pressure should reach out to others for assistance.

She said it was important for families and neighbours to provide a solid support system.

“One of the lessons that I learned big time after working at the Psychiatric Hospital is that if anybody was subjected to too much stress for too long, they could have a mental breakdown,” the sociologist said.

“So you need to develop a support system. Persons need to get in touch with their families. Get in touch with their friends, get to meet your neighbours, the people in your community, get involved in something that helps.”

Dr Evelyn also advised Barbadians to take fun, which she said is a basic emotional need, seriously.

She noted that amidst the difficulties and challenges people encounter, they can benefit significantly from participating in wholesome fun activities which stimulate feel-good hormones.

“And, of course, as a Christian and someone who is convinced of the reality of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, I would say to anybody and everybody that the best thing you can do is to trust in Jesus Christ. Put your hand in His hand.

“The kind of world that we are living in is just pure shifting sand. Today they tell you one thing, tomorrow it’s another. Everything is constantly evolving. Things change before you can even understand them. However, God’s Word says ‘forever my word is settled in heaven’. And you know, one of the contributing factors to suicide and despair in other areas is that we have built our houses on shifting sand,” Dr Evelyn added. (AH)