Government Senator Dr Saphire Longmore, makes her contribution to the 2024/25 State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday. At left is Senator Abka Fitz-Henley. (Photo: JIS)
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Concluding her tenure in the Upper House of Parliament, former Government Senator and Psychiatrist Dr Saphire Longmore has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served the Jamaican people for two terms spanning from 2016 to 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, Dr Longmore said she was thankful for her nine-year tenure in the Senate, where she contributed to advancing the country’s vision and serving the Jamaican people.
“While I will not be returning to the Senate in this new session, my commitment to the nation, our Government led by our prime minister and to the people we serve, remains steadfast. Public service is not defined by a single role or title — it is a team effort and a mission we all share,” she shared. “In keeping with this change, I have taken the opportunity to refresh and revive, and with my family, chart the next chapter(s) going forward in my career.”
“I look forward to the continued upward mobility of our nation, and it will always be an honour to serve in this journey. As we move into a new chapter, I celebrate the new senators appointed and I remain ready to collaborate with them and indeed the administration as we pursue the development of our beloved country,” she continued.
Dr Longmore noted that she remains committed to her role as consultant psychiatrist at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and thanked her professional colleagues for their unwavering support.
Dr Longmore, a former president of the Jamaica Psychiatric Association and chair of the Jamaica Psilocybin Technical Committee, has long been an advocate for mental health awareness and policy reform.
She used the occasion to acknowledge the recent passing of Tyra Spaulding, who, according to her, had aspirations of national representation.
The 26-year-old former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant was reportedly found Tuesday evening at her home hanging from her bed frame with a pink curtain around her neck. The police are now probing a suspected case of suicide.
READ: Former Miss Jamaica Universe contestant found dead at home
Dr Longmore called the tragedy “an unfortunate reality” and expressed her resolve to continue using her expertise to support Jamaica’s mental wellness.
“This is a collective developmental task which is bigger than any one person or role,” she said while paying tribute to Spaulding, “May her soul rise in peace.”