Mental Health Association: Suicides and attempted suicides are decreasing in Belize

Published by BBN Staff at September 8, 2020

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Posted: Tuesday, September 8, 2020. 10:37 am CST.

By BBN Staff: The number of suicides and suicide attempts in Belize has been decreasing over a five-year span, according to the Belize Mental Health Association (MBHA).

BMHA President Aimee Jex, speaking on today’s session of the government program Ask the Experts, said that the data taken from the Ministry of Health’s Belize Health Information System, BHIS has shown the decrease.

“This information is mainly the information that has been gathered through the public health clinics and hospitals. In 2016 we had about 150 attempts going to the public health clinics, but last year we had about 100,” Jex said.

She also noted that in 2018 there were 30 suicides, in 2019 there were 25 suicides, and to date this year there have only been eight. Notably, of the eight suicides for this year, seven of them were male and only one female.

“That decrease is very important showing us that raising awareness, challenging the stigma, all of that is bringing to the forefront that the numbers are going down,” Jex added.

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