A doctor reported missing in Holguín has been found deceased

A doctor from Holguín, who had been missing since Thursday, was found dead this Friday. Apparently, the doctor took his own life.

The healthcare professional, identified as Germán Rodríguez Zaldívar, worked at the Los Ángeles Polyclinic in Banes and was found hanged in the municipality of Mayarí, as reported on social media by Luis Rafael Quiñones based on the testimony of one of the doctor's daughters.

Previously, Quiñones had echoed the family's request for help.

"At the request of his daughter, it is published that Dr. Germán Rodríguez Zaldívar, a resident of Callejón del Negro and an employee of the Polyclinic of Los Ángeles, has been missing since yesterday. His daughter reports that he left for Holguín," it was written.

After the discovery of the body, the doctor's own daughter, Yeraldines Rodríguez, sought help on social media to find a hearse to transport her father's body.

"I'm here in Mayarí. The hearse hasn't arrived. Please, someone help me. We're desperate," he wrote on Facebook in a post made around 11 p.m. (local time) this Friday.

In a later post, the young woman asked for help to rent "a bus or something large" to transport the mourners from the UCM (possibly the University of Medical Sciences) to the funeral home.

One internet user noted that Rodríguez was found hanged near the Mayarí hospital, while another commenter mentioned that he was discovered "in a kiosk" in the "candonga" of that municipality.

According to the social activist known as "Noly Black," the doctor traveled from Banes to Mayarí, where he requested medication at the hospital because he was agitated.

"He was wearing several shorts, some boots, and seemed agitated. There were no medications there. He went to a kiosk, which we call Candonga, and since there was no power, he cut the cable. Several neighbors saw him and asked, 'Are you going to steal?' They called the police, and with that same cable, he took his own life," reported a source.

On social media, hundreds of people have expressed their dismay at the loss of the doctor.

"For God's sake, what pain for that family, for his mother who has already lost two children in the same way. Germán was an excellent doctor, a person of impeccable character. Only that damn addiction led him to his death. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family, to his wife, and to the beautiful daughters he left behind. Such tremendous sorrow," wrote Diani Pérez Hidalgo.

"My dear friend, it pains me in my soul. We studied together, and I know your story. I knew that one day you would have the courage to do something like this; I could see it in your eyes. What sadness, my friend. May God keep you in His holy glory," wrote another close source on social media.

As of the closing of this note, there are no further details regarding the unfortunate incident.

Suicide, a silent crisis that affects hundreds of thousands of people every year.

Suicide is a complex and tragic phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide each year.

It is the conscious decision to end one's own life, and it is generally the result of intense emotional or mental suffering that feels unbearable. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 700,000 people die by suicide each year, making it one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

Suicide is multifactorial and can result from a complex interaction of psychological, social, biological, and environmental factors. Among the most common risk factors are:

- Mental disorders: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions are key factors. In fact, approximately 90% of individuals who die by suicide suffer from a mental disorder.

-Socioeconomic factors: Situations such as unemployment, poverty, debt, and social exclusion can increase risk.

- Family and personal factors: A history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as a family history of suicide, increase the likelihood.

Access to lethal means: Access to firearms, pesticides, or any other lethal method significantly increases the risk.

Social isolation: Feelings of loneliness or social disconnection, along with a lack of support networks, are significant triggers.

Warning Signs

There are various signs that may indicate possible suicidal ideation. These include: talking about a desire to die or feeling like a burden to others; hopelessness and feelings of worthlessness; drastic changes in behavior such as withdrawal from daily activities, social isolation, or apathy; giving farewell signals like gifting personal belongings or settling unresolved matters; and substance abuse, including alcohol or drugs.

It is important to take any comments or warning signs seriously, as many people contemplating suicide may not explicitly ask for help but may exhibit one or more of the aforementioned symptoms.

Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach that involves society, families, healthcare professionals, and government policies.

One of the biggest challenges in suicide prevention is the stigma surrounding it. Many people who experience suicidal thoughts do not seek help due to fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

Society must work to create an environment where individuals feel safe discussing their mental health and receiving the support they need.

Notice: If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek help and urgently speak with a health professional.

Frequently Asked Questions about the case of Doctor Germán Rodríguez and the context of suicides in Cuba