Tough economy and his inability to get paid pushed man to attempt suicide, wife reports to CID

The tough economic position in which Antigua and Barbuda finds
itself and the fact that he has not been paid for work performed
reportedly pushed a man to try ending his own life. 

The attempted suicide allegedly was reported to the Criminal
Investigations Department (CID) by the man’s wife.

It is alleged that the man consumed a quantity of bleach and vinegar
at his home, at about 8:30 a.m. on March  7.
Reports say the woman told the Police that her husband had been
depressed for the past several weeks, as a result of not having been
paid for work he had done.

Apparently, that morning, the woman saw her husband go into the
kitchen, where he picked up a small bottle of vinegar and consumed
a portion of it.  

It is further alleged that she also smelled bleach on his breath. 
After consuming the vinegar, the man ran to the bathroom and
vomited. 

The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) was summoned to the home
and the man was transported to the hospital.  

Reportedly, the Police were unable to interview the victim, as he 
was still in a state of depression, and was being attended to by
doctors at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

Meanwhile, a source says the tough times that people are enduring –
due to the state of the economy – are taking a toll on their mental
health.

The professional notes that the recent tax increases have placed
everyone at a disadvantage –both employers and employees.
He explains that people who contract other persons to work are not
able to pay them on time because they, too, are owed – sometimes
by the Government.

One woman tells REAL News that, up to Friday, March 8, she was
still owed – for the month of January – the 9 percent increase
promised to all civil servants.

“It’s not much, less than $200,” she says, “but I want my money. I
need that money,” noting that she has her child’s tuition to pay.
In the same vein, a senior citizen confesses to our Newsroom that
“things [are] hard” with him.

He says the Social Protection Board is way behind on its stipend, and
the food vouchers it periodically hands out cannot replace “the little
money,” as they cannot be used to buy the medication he needs.
As a result of his poverty, the octogenarian, too, admits to feeling
“down,” especially as he lives alone.

A counselor notes that money troubles and loneliness are triggers
for depression, which, when left untreated, can lead to suicidal
thoughts.

Unfortunately, she says, public services for mental health are
extremely limited in access and in scope; and, so, too many residents
are suffering silently.