The Coalition for Suicide Decriminalization in the Caribbean has issued a statement following a recent incident in Micoud, Saint Lucia, where a man was hospitalized after a failed suicide attempt. According to reports, the man is now recovering in the hospital.
The coalition expressed concern over the continued criminalization of suicide attempts in the region, highlighting that recent media publications have brought attention to the issue.
“Recent publications in the media have sparked a conversation about the criminalization of suicide. Some St. Lucians have become aware, for the first time, that attempting suicide is still a crime in our legal system. In an era where we have a better understanding of mental health issues and resources to assist those who are struggling, we advocate for a more compassionate approach to addressing attempted suicide—one that treats suicide as a public health issue rather than a criminal one, and that upholds the human rights of individuals experiencing suicidal ideation,” remarked Leon Cherry, Mental Health Coach, and Co-Chair of the Caribbean Regional Coalition for the Decriminalization of Suicide
Currently, attempting suicide remains illegal in 23 countries worldwide, including Saint Lucia, Grenada, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago, as outlined in the Laws of Saint Lucia.
According to the coalition, criminalizing suicide attempts increases the stigma surrounding mental health, discourages individuals from seeking help, and perpetuates discriminatory attitudes.
The Coalition also pointed to recent progress in the Caribbean, such as Guyana’s decriminalization of suicide in 2022, which marked a step toward improved access to mental health services and a reduction in stigma.
This move was reinforced regionally through the Bridgetown Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health at the SIDS Ministerial Conference in Barbados.
Leon says the Coalition continues to advocate for a shift in legal frameworks, calling for mental health issues to be addressed with compassion and care rather than punishment.
He urged individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts to reach out to the 24-hour suicide hotline at telephone number 203.
