KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -The chief executive officer of the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC), Kaysia Kerr, on Monday, appealed to parents to pay close attention to changes in their children’s behaviour amid an increase in student suicides.
“If your child begins to act differently, do not dismiss it as typical teenage behaviour. Investigate in a loving and non-threatening way. Children need to feel safe enough to speak,” Kerr told the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), adding that behavioural shifts, whether subtle or extreme, can be early indicators of emotional distress or trauma.
The NPSC senior official said there were several warning signs that parents should monitor, including sudden bedwetting in younger children; changes in appetite or sleep patterns; increased restlessness or lethargy; withdrawal from social interaction; heightened agitation, anxiety, or hyperactivity; and unusual body-hiding behaviors or prolonged staring spells.
“Every child copes differently. Do not assume that what is happening at school is just a phase. If you are unsure or confused by what you are seeing, seek help immediately,” she said.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said it wanted to draw national attention to what it described as “a concerning trend” in suicide cases recorded across the island this year.
According to the JCF, between January and September 2025, a total of 44 suicides were recorded, compared to 53 cases for the same period last year, representing a 16.9 per cent year-on-year decline.
“At face value, this decline appears positive; however, the monthly breakdown reveals a troubling pattern. Suicides were consistently lower in the first six months of 2025 compared with 2024, but the second half of the year has seen a reversal. July 2025 recorded eight suicides – a 33 per cent increase over July 2024 – while August and September rose by 20 per cent and 25 per cent respectively compared with the same months last year,” the JCF said.
It said that while the overwhelming majority of suicides remain among males, there are indications that suicides among women, while still relatively low, may be edging upwards.
“This signals the need for urgent gender-sensitive interventions, as women’s experiences with self-harm often differ and may be linked to domestic, relational, or social factors that require tailored responses,” the JCF said, adding that coordinated action is urgently needed to strengthen community resilience, provide counselling and support services, and respond effectively to the vulnerabilities that may be driving these increases.
Kerr said she is encouraging parents to reach out to trusted professionals, such as pastors, doctors, teachers, or school guidance counsellors, and to utilize resources like the NPSC and the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA), which operates a 24-hour helpline.
“These lines are lifelines. They are safe spaces for children to talk freely, without fear of punishment or judgment,” Kerr said, stressing the importance of parental intuition, especially among mothers.
“If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. Do not delay. Early intervention can save lives,” she added.
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