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Ripple Effect: A Comparative Study of Male Suicide in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Guyana – Part I

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When he was asked what was being done to address male suicide in Trinidad and Tobago, the Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, said that recently the health ministry had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and UNICEF to establish a mental health chatline dedicated only to adolescents and youth. For those in their 30s, and 60 years and over, the national suicidal hotline among other resources would be there to assist. But for 24-year-old, Charran Prem Tom, who’d sought out mental health assistance, it had proven not enough. One of his close friends, Michael (who did not provide his last name), said Charran was depressed for a long time, yet had a smile and laughter capable of lighting up entire rooms. Charran worked as an AC technician and enjoyed going to the gym. Nine years ago in secondary school, Michael met Charran in Form 4 where they became good friends not long after.

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Ripple Effect: A Comparative Study of Male Suicide in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Guyana – Part II

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This is a two part series, for Part I please click here. Following Charran’s passing in June, another man, 29-year-old Jeremy Ramcharan from Penal took his life in July. Then, in August, 23-year-old, athlete and barber, Shaquille Josh Benjamin, died by suicide. The family and friends of each of these men said they struggled with depression. Suicide Hotspots in T&T

Based on Central Statistical Office (CSO) statistics, four areas of residence in Trinidad account for the most male suicides between 2016 to 2019: Tunapuna/Piarco, Princes Town, Penal/Debe, and Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, the latter ranking with the highest rate of male suicides with 101 male suicides.

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Barbados - Heeding the Warnings

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From coast to coast across Barbados the cry remains constant on the lips of fisherfolk:  fish landings are down but just who or what is to blame and with less fish available and would this now mean that fishermen must find alternative employment? What is of greater concern even now is the damage to the southern and northern coasts which were damaged by the wrath of Hurricane Beryl which unleashed her fury on July 1st 2024. https://youtu.be/LdSA86–ns0

One hundred percent of the fishing vessels at the Bridgetown Fisheries were damaged while on the south coast there was a mass haul for inspection of all boats. 


Damage to the Six Men’s Fishing community by Hurricane Beryl

Parliamentary Representative for St Peter Colin Jordan reported to CIJN that the wrath of Beryl is testament to the ongoing climate crisis. “It is affecting our public spaces where people gather, it is affecting the housing [stock] and commercial activity- we need mitigation intervention and our beaches need to be protected,” he reported recently during a damage assessment tour. 

In Sixmen’s St Peter, ambitious spear fisher Davian Bailey who was found preparing fish said that his catch has not been the same as it was ten years ago and he admits that he’s feeling hollow much like the fish he deguts because of the reduced fish landings. 

Spearfisher Davian Bailey speaking with the CIJN’s Michron Robinson

While the fish are looking for cooler temperatures with warmer waters present because of climate change-Bailey too is considering new opportunities outside of fishing. “To me the demand for money using fish (isn’t making sense) I find that I would have to find a different source of income so fishing then becomes a part time thing more so than a Monday to Friday source of income.

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