Police are investigating the sudden death of a 20-year-old man who resided at Tarrou.
Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Claude Weekes says Collins Felix was found hanging from the roof inside of his house today.
“He was transported to the Princess Margaret Hospital where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Garvin Seaman. The deceased was a known mental patient. A coroner’s inquest will be convened next week Tuesday to be followed by an autopsy. Investigations are continuing,” Weekes said.
He noted that the situation was rather unfortunate. Though it may appear the young man committed suicide, possibilities must not be ruled out until investigations are complete, he added.
“Of course, it’s very unfortunate, it’s a young man, as I said. It was reported to us, the authorities that he is a known mental patient, and whatever the circumstances we cannot deliberate too much on it, except of course when the post-mortem is being performed,” Weekes said at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.
I realized that this young man was depressed, I know what depression feels like because right now I’m really depressed and only one thing is on my mind and that is committing suicide, that thing can let u lose your mind! Hmmp I still think that he should talk to someone he trust..
The first step toward greatness is to be honest.
am really shock by some comments that i read, regardless of the way someone choses to live their life that person normally leaves a family behind who would be mourning their loss – LOVED ONES.
death is a very sensitive thing and for decades we have shown “Respect” for the dead so could we honour that and not write defamatory things just for the sake of posting.
to everyone else who expressed a kind word many many thanks
may your soul rest in peace cuz
How can we all sit and judge a situation without having ample fact of the case at hand. Does depression makes u a mental person? if so how. I know for sure that Collins was not a mental case and for so must not be treated as one. To the police depratment how can you declear a suicide with lack of evidence, there was no signs of a suicide yet you all calim that one hanging on a rope took his life. Nonsense You all need to be more professional in your dealings, I need you all to explain how his neck was fully broken, multiple lacerations on his body meeaning, there were no obvious signs of him hanging himself not even his eyes or tongue out, no defecation, no urine,yet still it is said to be he taking his life impossible. Thus the reason why Dominica is in the position in which they are. PLZ one with brains explain why the police didnot know what to look for on site, why is there no cause of death and why was there a whole in his neck with no blood on the floor of his house. Oh do you all want me to solve the case well it was staged. And out there some where are people who have murderous instinct roaming the road …
sorrie to hear this sad inccident that happen may ur soul rest in peace to all his family an frends may provide u all wit comfort an love accept my sympathy
so sad to hear this tragegy am sorry to hear accept my sympath to all his family and frens that god will guid u a prepare comfort in heaven for him may his soul rest in peace
In response to the writer who stated that the patient was depressed not mad and did not need to be in a mental hospital is puzzling and a statement of ignorance; depression is a grossly misunderstood psychiatric diagnosis. It is a condition requiring hospitalization many times as the person poses a danger to themselves or others. Depression manifests in many ways, most obviously sad facial expression, moody, isolative, anxious, tearful, irritable & agitation. They often self medicate – drug and alcohol use. Mostly soceity is intollerant of depression especially in males who are purpoted/expected to be strong in mind and body. Are they not also human, subject to the same emmotional and physically hurts as females? The stigma against mental illness is pervasive throughout the world. Shame is the biggest factor. No one wants it, yet look to put down the ones who have the problem, whether Depression, Schizophrenia or a combination of both. They are often ostracize by soceity. Until it happens in your family ( if it hasn’t yet) then you will realize that mental illness is not a respecter of soceity, class, race, age, gender, education,talents etc.
May God bless us all give us peace, patience, knowledge and acceptance for the weaknesses amongst us.
while all of this is being said… HE WAS NOT A KNOWN MENTAL PATIENT HE SUFFERED FROM DEPRESSION. HE WAS NOT MAD!!!! … Drs said that COLLINS did not belong in a mental hospital because he was NOT mad. If some people had done their investigations adequately they would have known that.
COLLINS WAS A BRIGHT AND TALENTED YOUNG MAN, FULL OF POTENTIAL….NO ONE KNOWS WHY HE DID WHAT HE DID…BUT GOD SEES AND KNOWS ALL AND THAT IS ALL WE NEED TO KNOW….GOD WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHO HE WILL HAVE MERCY.
REST IN PEACE COLLINS….YOUR FAMILY WILL NOT FORGET YOU!!!
thaks on that note HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND I LKNOW HE DID NOT KILL HIMSELF
i am sorry
Rest in peace Collins.
You are loved by many and will forever be in our hearts.
we were shocked to hear the terrible news. we thepeople of Grand Fond are praying for his family. may his soul rest in peace.
“Very Sad” I hope that you are not an aphiest, for your own good. I can’t remember when last I was called that, anyways I 4give u and I also apoligize for haven given you that impression. I was speaking in general as suicide as being a cowardly act, although a mentally ill can be seen as “ignorant” by virtue of their psychosis, so I see your point here. I look at suicide bombers and the many others with no history of mental illness who resort to this type of behaviour as some “means to an end” when it is an end in itself. It is sad that you couldn’t find anything positive in what I had to say and that I find VERY SAD INDEED… “Your most learned one”!
Malcolm
let us just say a prayer for his parents,aii que dolor, el se sufre tanto,what a tragedia, so sorry
This is a perfect opportunity for me to once again voice concerns over the lack of social services in this country. Thank you da news online.There is just not enough emphasis on the need for provision of health care services other than general medical care. It is obvious that the care is insufficient. Is the public aware that there is a mental health clinic ONCE A MONTH in many health districts?? Even people with good mental health are going to miss this appointment even though they have good mental faculties and every day is a day when they are in a good mood. .. just from being busy that day or having other engagements this is plain unreasonable and obviously inadequate!
Prime MInister you need to give serious attention to who you are appointing as a MINISTER of Health. Over the years, this has been a seriious lapse. Our current minister is on record on radio as saying that if you eat right, have the right diet and exercise, there is NO reason why you cannot be walking at 90 years of age. AND that if you are on your back, on your bed, for health reasons then there is no point in being there (meaning being alive) we begin to comprehend the level of incompetence and insensitivity that is running rampant. Our MInister of Health should be qualified to spearhead the provision of care of persons who have health challenges, and encourage them to have a better quality of life, no matter what their mobility and health situation is. It is elementary that not all caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. Why cant there be an experienced qualifed doctor to head this important ministry? How can doctors and trained nurses be motivated and directed by someone without any training in health issues and such lack of competence?
The GRAVEST injustice is that the most experienced doctor that is available, on the Mental Health team is headed by a doctor who works for the Government, has his own private practice, uses government vehicles, and CHARGES patients in excess of THREE HUNDRED dollars per visit, if he has to make a house call in the evening. It is understood that the nature of the problem will mean having to make house calls because in an unwell frame of mind a person needing mental health care may not be able or willing to visit a health care facility. A family may hardly be able to pay eighty dollars, a LOT for the average Dominican without health insurance. But family and friends can help and pay something. Usually the case is that patients are unemployed and have been for years. Can you imagine Three hundred?? The doctor well knows that. So persons just roam the streets until maybe one day they kill themselves. Or get run over by a car.
Besides doctors, there is need for social services, for persons to be able to go to an office where they can get advice on unemployment issues, financial problems, child care services, raising difficult children, caring for elderly parents, counselling of any kind- abuse, neglect, abandonment, failing at school, coping with grief. coping with grief. These are serious needs in our island. Presently all these people are uncared for. They may choose to either go to their Parl Rep for help, stay home, and express their emotions in non productive ways, suffer with depression , or some may commit suicide as a result of developing chronic depression. None of these avenues are helping them with their problem. It is time the Government sees this as a need and develops a program for help.
Suggestions
– An employment agency where persons can register their qualifications and contact information. Likewise those looking to employ persons can consider those listed on the database and contact them for interview.
Information Centres- to take away the stigma of those seeking mental health care. In each major Health district there should be a team of persons including psychologists and counsellors available to give advice on a range of issues, as mentioned above. They may not be specialists in all areas but they are a resource – to point persons in the right direction of getting help with their problems. There will be those who are in office daily as well as those who are able to go to homes and other institutions like schools and health centres, village council office. They should be paid a proper salary, not a pittance because they are carrying the burdens of the nation.
PM do something, The yes we care program is an example that you care. Do something please.
sorry 2 here that
Rest IN peace. May God guide his mother in this time of sorrow.
when i first heard news, i shivered, another young man gone senselessly, but taking away your own life does’nt make anysense, GOD is in control young ppl , we need to turn to him at good and bad times…. may his soul R.I.P.
when he had burst the boy chain -the one with the vay vary from canefield-infront music land and knock out the teeth from his mouth that wasnt sad??
he spend all his life Canada and then come massacre playing mad and bad …
Canadian buss it is what it is ….
From a child I have always found that this a serious problem in Dominica. Too many people see suicide as the solution to their problems. Attention needs to be given to this problem. There are too many suicides in Dominica.
Despensa i no por sufri mas,He isn’t there to suffer any more.
May he rest in peace, and I agree with CI we need to have some sort of psychological help for people with there conditions, in some cases all it takes is someone to talk to who can give mental patient a little humanistic attention, as they are human beings too, those of us who are mentally fit should remember mental illness is an illness like any other, which could strike anyone at anytime, we need to look after our mentally ill brothers and sisters, sometimes all it takes it just a little humanistic empathy
Malcolm you are very silly. People with mental illness who do not recieve help find it unbearable to cope and erroneously think suicide will fix their problem. The people who are cowards are the ones who make people feel that it is their fault that they are sick and the fault of the government for not educating the public about the true nature of mental illness. It is an illness just like cancer, however, it can be managed with the right treatment. It’s a shame.
I am sadden by the news of his passing, I met him in a professional capacity and had the opportunity to interact with him on a few occassions. Just tragic! For anyone reading this sad news and tend to think this is “some way out” I dear say that this is senseless & cowardly and I wish to let you know that when it seems as if you can’t cope, Jesus offers hope…. Trust me I know 1st hand!
This is really sad. It’s unfortunate he did not receive the help that he needed, before he allegedly took his life.
alas he could not take it anymore R.I.P my boy
This is so sad. God bless his family
alas
o yes nitara it’s so sad!
Very sad news but not unusual for his condition. Psychological assistance is one area which must be addressed and given some much needed attention. There are a few people who require some sought of treatment but are currently left on their own, if not treated, the results will most often be the same.
Oh my god! This is just clear evidence that the youths are frustrated.
THEY REPORT ON THIS MATTER VERY FAST SO WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE WEEKEND . THE LIVES THAT ARE LOST THEY ARE NOT IMPORTANT . WHAT HAPPEN TO THOSE WHO WERE CAUGHTWHERE ARE THEY ? THE NATION NEED TO KNOW.POLICE PRO REPORT FOR US. REST IN PEACE MY BOY. YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOW GOD CAN HELP IN EVERY THING PUT HIM FIRST.
oh yes poor boymay his soul rest in peace
Does it have to come to this? Can’t we do something sooner?
Oh dear….sigh. Depression can drive you to the edge