The male who was rescued by police officer over the weekend from what appeared to be a suicide attempt in the waters adjacent to the Road Town Ferry Terminal has been identified as a 20-year-old who suffers from mental illness.
This was confirmed in a media release from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on Monday September 20, which said the male is a patient of the Behavioural Ward of the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital who escaped and is presently being treated.
The release said, “Sunday morning, officers of the Marine Unit and Beat and Patrol responded to a report from hospital personnel that the 20-year-old had escaped from the ward and thrown himself into the water near the terminal. Upon arrival, Police observed the male close to 100 feet out, floating face down. Two officers entered the water, and with the help of the police vessel Swift Justice, pulled the male from the water. CPR was administered and he was revived. The ambulance was summoned and he was transported to DOSH.”
6 other mental illness incidents
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force further revealed that there were six additional incidents during that week involving persons with mental health illnesses.
According to the Force, of those six, one mother in Virgin Gorda asked for police assistance in calming her mentally ill adult son after making threats of violence. In addition, a woman was taken to the Behavioural Ward after she was reported missing and then found outside her residence naked in Purcell Estate.
In a separate incident, officers were summoned after a 13-year-old, who had been previously assessed, threatened to commit suicide and kill members of his household.
Appeal to get assistance ahead of crisis
With a spike in the number of reported incidents involving persons with mental illness, Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool is again appealing to family members to get assistance ahead of any crisis, especially when an appointment with a mental health practitioner is missed.
She said, “In all engagements, maintaining calm surroundings even with high stress levels is a must. Choose the words you use carefully. This is particularly important advice for those who live with and care for the mentally ill. It is important that caregivers are sensitive and responsive to the signs ahead of the crisis and get the necessary help.
Family members needing assistance or an initial mental health assessment can contact the Mental Health Unit at 852-7675 or the Psychosocial Hotline 541-2383.