Namibia suicide rate worrisome

THE SUICIDE rate in Namibia is rising at an alarming rate, as a lot of productive people take their own lives, Oshana regional health director Johanna Haimene has said.

Haimene said Namibia is ranked fourth in Africa after Mozambique, Tanzania, and Burundi, respectively, and 11th globally in terms of suicide rate per capita.

The regional director made these remarks during the commemoration of World Mental Health Day at Oshakati yesterday.

“Even though the majority of us are struggling in life, trying our best to make our lives successful and meaningful, some of our friends, colleagues and close family members are taking away their lives, themselves. Imagine while some of us are trying hard to hide from enemies so that we could not lose our lives, some people are taking theirs by themselves. Suicide is the worst decision someone could make,” she noted.

She added that in 2017 alone, about 425 people in Namibia committed suicide, while between 2012 and 2016, 2 190 people killed themselves.

In 2015, an estimated 25 000 people attempted to commit suicide.

Haimene said ingestion of pesticides, hanging and use of firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.

According to the World Health Organisation, every year about 800 000 people kill themselves.

This translates to almost one person dying every 40 seconds.

“Actually this figure is higher than people who are losing their lives as a result of malaria and breast cancer. Out of 100 000 people, 11 are estimated to lose their lives as a result of suicide.

Seventy-nine percent of those who commit suicide are from low and middle-income countries and the majority of these countries are in Africa,” said Haimene.

Suicide continues to be the second leading cause of death that is common among 15-29-year-olds.

Some of the main causes of mental illnesses are: depression, substance abuse and severe mental illnesses like psychosis.

Haimene therefore urged the public at large to take their mental health as a priority and avoid stressful situations.

Speaking at the same occasion, Oshakati mayor Angelius Iyambo said people suffering from mental illnesses should seek medical attention earlier before the illness defeat them.

“If someone is going through depression or suffering from stress, they should try by all means to seek help and get treated. Life is full of problems and as such people should learn how to be mentally strong when going through any stressful situations. Find a social worker or anyone you trust and talk to them. Don’t shy away from your problems,” said Iiyambo.

He urged the public to join in the fight against mental illnesses in order to reduce the number of suicides in the country.

World Mental Health Day was established on 10 October 1992 and commemorated annually. This year it was commemorated under the theme: ‘Working Together To Prevent Suicide: A Day For 40 Seconds Of Action’.