EDITORIAL: Men, Mental Health and Suicide
IT is a topic not spoken about in-depth but with every death notice in the media, it becomes evident that mental health, young men and suicide must be addressed in Barbados.
Globally, suicide is the third leading cause of mortality among 15-44 years old. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide represents half of all male violent deaths. The National Institute of Mental Health reported that as of 2018, suicide became the second leading cause of death in Black children and the third leading cause of death in adolescents age 15-19.
In the chapter, “Suicide in Barbados” by David Lester, between 1968 to 1988, the rate of suicide was 4.7 per 100,000, the rate although low was higher among men. From 1975 to 1985, 48 men against 8 women committed suicide. In this work, hanging was the most common method.
Risk factors for suicide are bullying at work, school, college, divorce, loss of a loved one, mental health, unemployment, living alone, drug use and depression (mostly in older men). Mental health problems that can lead to suicide and attempts of suicide include depression along with psychotic disorders.
In Barbados, the local media reported at least five cases of male suicide deaths between 2020 and 2021. Since last year, Barbados has grappled with years of economic depression and then the onset of a deadly pandemic. The socio-economic ramifications are yet to be truly assessed. But mental health issues like anxiety and depression are higher and more prevalent.
Diagnosing mental health in men
It is known that traditional male roles discourage emotional expression and this has led to it being under-diagnosed in men.
Men are also less likely to seek help for an emotional problem. But they tend to socialise more with men in the Caribbean at bars, rum shops, and sporting events. These gatherings usually have alcohol and other mind and behaviour altering substances.
Most people do not recognise the signs of depression in men which will manifest themselves as anger, lack of interest, sadness, irritability, aggression, hopelessness and worthlessness. Physically, they will have frequent headaches, physical pain, weight loss, decreased libido, poor appetite and anger towards women.
Men, mental health and workplace
It could be argued that dealing with mental health during adolescents or even at the primary level is necessary for schools. But it is also needed in the workplace. From counselling services, activities that promote better health mentally and physically, reducing stressors, promoting flexibility in the workplace and surveying employees about mental health are important. It is critical to know the signs.
Look at persons who use the substance on the job, people who are unable to work with others and disrupt the work environment, inability to manage projects or unable to meet deadlines or report for duties promptly. It is also important for companies to recognise the issues they can create for employees and the effect on them, particularly men.
Suicide or any effort to self-harm emerges from a build-up of societal pressures and internal conflicts. It may be easier to ignore it, but it can affect the lives of the loved ones who lost their family member, friend or co-worker. It is time that society makes it easier for men to talk about their mental health without ridicule but with compassion and support.