00:00Director of the Victim and Witness Support Unit and Counseling Psychologist, Kirk Pair,
00:06says many men who contemplate suicide often struggle with a diminished sense of self-worth
00:13and overwhelming feelings of hopelessness. Speaking with TV6 News, Mr. Pair said,
00:19these emotional challenges, if left unaddressed, can lead some men to believe there is no way
00:26forward, increasing the risk of them taking their own lives. He stressed the importance of early
00:32intervention, stronger support systems, and encouraging men to seek help before reaching a
00:38crisis point. When you look at our suicide rate, we see that men make up 85 to 87 percent of
00:48successful
00:49suicides. Mr. Pair said many people who are struggling with depression often conceal their
00:56emotional plan behind the appearance of happiness, making it difficult for family members, friends,
01:03and even colleagues to recognize the warning signs. He stressed that many suffer in silence,
01:10underscoring the importance of checking in on loved ones and creating safe spaces where individuals
01:17feel comfortable seeking help.
01:20For a country like ours that have all these public holidays, for persons like us who laugh a lot,
01:29who talk, who engage, who socialize, why is our suicide rate ranking third in the Caribbean?
01:39Because there's something in us that makes us very, very unhappy. So although we are smiling,
01:44although we appear to be functioning, we are actually functioning in terms of high functioning
01:50depression.
01:52Mr. Pair is also advocating for reopening of youth camps across the country, saying such programs
01:59can provide youth and young people with positive guidance, mentorship, and life skills. He believes
02:06these initiatives can play a vital role in building resilience, fostering healthy relationships,
02:13and equipping youths with the tools needed to navigate life challenges.
02:18I think we need to look at again, revisit the reopening of some of those youth camps, whereby
02:26males on the whole could find something to learn from still when they find themselves, when they catch
02:34themselves. At this point in time, I'm not seeing them having an avenue that is readily available.
02:41But it's in their minds where they could find something to learn from, or a skill to learn from.
02:49Mr. Pair said that alongside crime, two other issues have emerged as major concerns in Trinidad
02:55and Tobago, the use of marijuana and pornography. He stressed that these growing social challenges
03:02require urgent attention through greater public awareness, stronger support systems, and sustained
03:10intervention programs.
03:12I think the use of marijuana and pornography has created a male that has isolated himself from society.
03:22That male has become very dysfunctional and has lost the ability to effectively integrate himself
03:29into society or effectively mix with other persons in society. So we are not only losing men, we are losing
03:40the value that men bring to the space as well.
03:43Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
04:00This is our goal for the word for the word for the first time.
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