The lifetime of former Miss Jamaica Universe contestant Tyra Spaulding might be celebrated on Saturday, October 25, in Jamaica. Spaulding tragically died by suicide on September 23. Her lifeless physique was discovered hanging in her house in Kingston. She was simply 26 years previous.
Spaulding’s loss of life, which was coated internationally by Folks’s Journal in the US, NDTV (Indian information community), Vibe Journal (U.S. leisure & tradition journal), Black Enterprise, US Weekly, and Yahoo Information, has sparked conversations about suicide in Jamaica and the diaspora.
“This dialog must proceed to extend all Jamaicans’ consciousness that we’re all susceptible,” New York-based Vassell George O’Gilvie, Psychotherapist and NYCPG-approved clinician, instructed Caribbean Nationwide Weekly.
The 12-year-old Jamaican/Canadian singer Jazmin Headley, who has been capturing consideration along with her highly effective voice – most not too long ago in a tune that includes Richie Stephens and Bounty Killer – her appearing expertise and maturity will ship a heartfelt tribute to Tyra on the funeral.
“My hope is to carry some consolation to the household by music, which has the ability to heal. I could also be simply 12 years previous, however I perceive the significance of celebrating Tyra’s life,” Headley shared.
O’Gilvie knowledgeable that the World Well being Group (WHO) has decided that loss of life by suicide is the third main reason for loss of life amongst 15-29 12 months olds in 2021.
“Greater than 720,000 individuals die on account of suicide yearly. Seventy-three per cent of world suicides happen in low- and middle-income international locations, and the explanations are multifactorial, social, cultural, organic, psychological, and environmental elements current throughout the lifespan.”
On September 28, 2025, the Jamaica Constabulary Pressure (JCF) revealed information concerning loss of life by suicide in Jamaica over the past six years: 2019 – 58 deaths; 2020 – 43; 2021 – 50; 2022 – 63; 2023 – 66; 2024 – 67, and as much as September 2025 – 44.
There have been eight deaths by suicide in July 2025 alone. The JCF mentioned this represents a rise of 33% for that month in 2024. August and September additionally had incremental will increase of 20% and 25% respectively.
“Widespread elements that may trigger suicide embody melancholy, bipolar dysfunction, anxiousness dysfunction, schizophrenia, and different psychological well being issues, ” O’Gilvie shared. “These psychological well being points can distort somebody’s pondering and make them really feel susceptible, hopeless, and out of types. Another pertinent elements are life stressors and crises, job losses, termination of a relationship, or different breakups that may trigger companions to really feel abandonment. Monetary burden can set off these unhealthy emotions and subsequent behaviors.”
O’Gilvie knowledgeable that social media platforms like Fb and Instagram are ways in which these vulnerable to committing suicide usually cry out for assist.
“The general public wants to extend their consciousness of those social media platforms to get individuals assist when that is considered,” he reiterated.
“Suicide is a severe public well being downside that requires a public well being response. The federal government of Jamaica should take into account this a severe well being risk. They’ll then prioritize entry to therapy to ensure that their residents,” he famous.
