IN the wake of the sixth suspected suicide of the year, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said the challenges surrounding mental health and depression is “very real”.

Speaking to reporters at Cabinet, Dr Sands said Bahamians don’t take suicide seriously and trivialise the challenges of mental health.

“Suicide is increasing around the world including The Bahamas perhaps,” said. “And I say it that way because when we look at our numbers, the numbers have been low year after year after year so, to determine whether or not the number of suicides that we have had, let’s say in the last six months, is statistically significantly different than the norm, requires a statistical review.

“To just say, well we had two last year and three this year, whatever the numbers are statistically may be an invalid assessment. But make no bones about it we have a challenge with mental illness in The Bahamas.”

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