Creating Hope Through Action
About 703,000 people end their own lives every year, and many more attempt to do so. [1] Every suicide incident hurts family members and the community at large; it leaves lasting sadness for the people left behind. Suicide is a manifestation of personal struggles, often due to various reasons such as mental health disorders, feeling very sad, being lonely, experience of violence or abuse in the past, substance abuse, or financial hardship. Cultural and social factors including the stigma around mental health challenges and inadequate access to mental healthcare, worsen the problem.
In 2019, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29 worldwide, and the majority of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.[2] A study by ARISE Network involving six countries in SSA showed high incident of suicidal behaviors i.e. suicidal ideation, plans and attempt, over the last 12 months the prevalence of suicidal behaviors ranged between 1.2% and 12.4% in the seven countries. [3] Furthermore, a cross-section study by Africa Academy for Public Health in Tanga, Eastern Tanzania showed that 2 out of every 100 adolescents had ever attempted suicide in their lifetime, where adolescents out of the schools system were at higher suicidal risk than their counterparts in schools.
These findings show that there is a need of having joint efforts to prevent suicide and help young people feel better mentally. This means offering counseling in schools and mental health awareness campaigns in the community. The World Health Organization recommends the following initiatives that may make it harder for people to harm themselves: encouraging the media to report on suicide responsibly; teaching young people how to handle their feelings; and identifying as well as helping those who show signs of being suicidal early on. [4]
As we commemorate suicide prevention day this year, we are all obligated to play our roles in giving rise to hope for others through our actions. We should strive to create a safe environment for young people and everyone else to express their feelings in schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities and communities without judgement, For Better Public Health.
[3] Nyundo A, Manu A, Regan M, Ismail A, Chukwu A, Dessie Y, et al. Factors associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation and behaviours amongst sub-Saharan African adolescents aged 10-19 years: cross-sectional study. Tropical Medicine and International Health. 2020 Jan 1;25(1):54–69.