A clinical psychiatrist at the Behavioral Health (BH) said that the number of attempted suicide cases that BH deals with is about 2 to 3 every month.

Dr. Sylvia Wally says that the number is an underestimation of what truly exists in the community.

The man who attempted suicide on Friday by setting fire to his house and car is currently under treatment at BH.

According to his doctor, he awaits for his family to reach the hospital.

The Out Patient Department receives cases of attempted suicide as well and so does the emergency room. It is for this reason that Wally reiterates the number of attempted suicide cases at solely Behavioral Health is an underestimation of the actual figure of cases in the community.

Island Times has requested an official data from government sources and will release the information once acquired.

Wally said that there is a stigma attached with the mental health and hence people who need help fear visiting the hospital.

“Not a lot of people end up seeking help and when they do seek help, they have attempted suicide.” Wally said.

Wally adds that there are other reasons for people to not seek help as well.

“It could be because they are not given the right choices when they need help or there is absolutely no help available.” She said.

However, Wally points at alcohol abuse and illicit drugs as responsible agents that multiply the problems of a person suffering through stress making them more vulnerable to self inflicted harm or self inflicted deaths.

She makes it clear that it is the lack of support and isolation when going through stress that drives people to making adverse choices.

She further said, “It is also family disintegration that cause a lot of problems to arise to the point of self inflicting death or self inflicting harm.”

Wally encourages the community to talk and support the individuals of all ages who they think are dealing with a lot of stress and pressure.

“Encourage them to seek help. It doesn’t necessarily [have to be] help coming from the hospital but at least they can turn to a family member they can trust.” Wally said. (By Eshan Kalyanikar)