At just 22 years old and under the care of her family due to mental health issues, a young Cuban woman tragically took her own life this Friday in her home located in Old Havana.
According to the portal Cubanet, the young woman jumped from the second floor of the building located at Villegas Street, No. 412, between Teniente Rey and Muralla, as confirmed by a witness at the scene. So far, no further details have been disclosed about this tragic incident, although the cited media outlet published a brief video on the social network X.
A few days ago, a 14-year-old Cuban boy died after jumping from a bridge over the Yayabo River in the city of Sancti Spíritus. The opposition member Librado Linares reported on X that the teenager jumped from the pedestrian bridge connecting the Jesús María neighborhood with Colón in that central Cuban city.
In August, Yosandri Mulet Almarales, a La Güinera protester and political prisoner from the 11J demonstrations, died due to severe injuries sustained from a suicide attempt that left him between life and death for days. This was confirmed by the Center for Cuban Prison Documentation (CDPC), a non-governmental organization that reported on August 22 about Mulet's second and final suicide attempt, committed during a leave from the penitentiary where he was performing forced labor.
Cubanet revealed that in 2021, an average of four people died daily on the island due to self-inflicted injuries. Additionally, they noted that between 2014 and 2020, nearly 9,000 people took their own lives in the country, according to health statistical yearbooks. The suicide rate on the island has been high over the last century, with more than 10 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants, although this figure is significantly lower compared to the levels observed during the economic crisis of the Special Period in the 1990s. Moreover, in 2019, Cuba was the fourth country in the region with the highest number of suicides.
Mental Health Crisis and Suicides in Cuba
The following questions and answers provide more insights into the mental health crisis and suicide rates in Cuba.
What are the primary factors contributing to the high suicide rates in Cuba?
The high suicide rates in Cuba are attributed to various factors, including economic hardships, social isolation, and inadequate mental health care services. The prolonged economic crisis has exacerbated stress and mental health issues among the population.
How does Cuba's suicide rate compare to other countries in the region?
In 2019, Cuba was ranked as the fourth country in the region with the highest number of suicides. This places the island nation among the countries with significant mental health challenges in the region.
What measures are being taken to address mental health issues in Cuba?
Efforts to address mental health issues in Cuba include government and non-governmental initiatives aimed at improving mental health care services, increasing awareness, and providing support to those in need. However, these efforts are often hampered by resource constraints and political challenges.