By Katherine Farrington, psychology student at Trinity College, Dublin

and Dr David Allen, leading psychiatrist

Suicide statistics in The Bahamas are at alarming levels. Between 2000 and 2013, there were 96 suicides across the country, with a male-to-female ratio of 7:1. More recently, we’ve seen six suicides in 2023, eight in 2024, and six already by March of this year. A new nationwide mental health survey found that nearly one in four teenagers had considered suicide, and one in five had attempted it. Additionally, the survey found loneliness and self-harm have more than doubled since the late 1990s.

To better understand what lies behind this disturbing trend, with the help of psychiatrist Dr David Allen, I undertook an eight-week observational study of The Family: People Helping People Project, a community-based support group. There were approximately 100 attendees in total, including both men and women, and covering a wide range of ages. Detailed field notes were written after every session of The Family. After attending over 30 sessions, a deductive thematic analysis was conducted on all field notes. Four major themes and accompanying sub-themes began to emerge: expression of suicidal struggles; social connection and belonging; coping; and the healing power of storytelling.

One of the most important discoveries was that by simply talking about taboo topics such as suicidal thoughts, shame, grief, and abuse, people began to heal. Many participants spoke openly about suicide, some had made attempts, or expressed periods of strong suicidal ideation. They were able to do so because of the environment in which they shared. It was a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment. Members listen to one another, and they offer support and advice.

Another clear takeaway was how deeply loneliness plays into suicidal thoughts, and how The Family was able to minimise that sense of isolation. For some, long work hours or moving to The Bahamas from another country left them feeling lonely. For others, it was due to mental illness or stigma. The Family is able to reduce that isolation. Members exchange numbers, they build community, and most importantly, they minimise stigma just by talking openly and honestly.

Coping looked different for everyone, but there were common themes. Members spoke often about the importance of forgiveness, both of others and themselves. They talked about surrendering the things they couldn’t control, focusing on changing themselves rather than others, and trusting and relying on God. Through the group’s support, people began to feel empowered to better handle both everyday stressors and larger, more overwhelming challenges.

And then there’s the storytelling. Again and again, members said that sharing their story helped them start to heal. It helped them face the shame they had carried, make sense of their pain, and begin to move forward. Equally as important is hearing someone else’s story. Members claim that hearing other people’s stories allows them to apply the lessons learned to their own challenges. In doing so, growth is fostered.

At the root of it all, what The Family provides is connection. It interrupts the isolation and emotional shutdown that often precedes suicide. It provides people with a safe, empathic, and consistent community.

Real Stories from The Family:

A gentleman from a family island struggled with extreme loneliness. He became tired of  drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism and attempted to drink bleach to end his life.

A man came to The Family and spoke of the extreme grief he experienced after his wife passed. He spoke of sitting alone on the beach and wanting to walk to another island. He began to walk to the water, but he heard a song from his childhood, and this stopped him. At the time, he did not see this as a suicide attempt, but later recognised it as such.

A woman came to The Family and spoke of a childhood full of unrelenting hardship. She spoke of attempting to take pills to end her life.

At a recent Family Programme meeting, a young man struggling with severe depression confessed that he had nearly taken his own life with a gun. He connected with one of The Family facilitators, who shared her own story of despair as a pregnant teenager. Her words deeply resonated with him. The facilitator continued to check on him daily. Through her care, he regained his will to live. Now, he has found purpose in helping others facing similar struggles.

Suicidal struggles can present themselves in a multitude of ways. But behind it, there is almost always pain, shame, and loneliness. The results of this study show that The Family offers a space to grow and heal, to address one’s hurt and begin their healing. The way The Family handles grief, shame, and pain mirrors what community-based treatment aims to do: provide consistent, safe, and accessible support. The Family does not offer quick fixes. Instead, it supports members as they learn to carry their pain, understand it, and grow through it.

• The Family is a group-based resocialisation intervention designed by Dr Allen to confront social chaos such as violence, addiction, and different forms of abuse. At its core, The Family uses a group process that mirrors the structure of a home-based family. The Family provides a safe and non-judgmental environment that offers support, community, and self-discovery to its members. Ultimately, the goal is to improve socialisation, even in the face of high crime, broken families, and economic hardship. To seek help, call The Family on 557 3172.