The police have confirmed the deaths of six individuals, including five men and one woman, who died by suicide over the weekend.
This comes just days ahead of the country’s commemoration of World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
According to a weekend crime report by police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi, the incidents were reported in various regions across the country.
The police reported that the body of 33-year-old Collin Coetzee was discovered in his room at Keetmanshoop on Saturday evening.
“The deceased had informed his aunt that he intended to take his own life, which prompted her to check on him, only to find him dead. No suicide note was left, and the motive remains unknown,” Shikwambi says.
Another incident took place earlier that day at King Kauluma village, in the Oshikoto region, where 50-year-old Paulus Hamatundu’s body was found in his room at 08h00.
According to police reports, Hamatundu was a psychiatric patient, but he had not shown any recent signs of distress.
“The deceased did not leave behind a suicide note, and his body was transported to the Omuthiya mortuary for a post-mortem,” Shikwambi says.
A similar tragedy was reported at the Okondjatu settlement, where the body of Tuhafeni Shindele (32) was found on Saturday morning.
Shikwambi says Shindele, an Angolan national, did not leave a suicide note, and his body was taken to the Okakarara State Hospital mortuary.
In a separate incident, 46-year-old Donatius Amwele was found dead on Friday night at Grootfontein. The body was transported to the Grootfontein mortuary, and no suicide note was found.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, another man, identified as Shidhika Leopald (36) from the Okavugu village in the Oshikoto region, was found dead.
Shikwambi says no note was found, and the motive for the suicide is unclear. His body was transported to Onandjokwe State Hospital for a post-mortem.
On Friday, the body of 39-year-old Luise Nangombe was discovered at Oshuungu village in the Omusati region.
It is alleged that Nangombe’s boyfriend found her in another room after she left their shared sleeping quarters.
“Although he . . . tried to save her, Nangombe died shortly after. The police do not suspect foul play at this stage,” Shikwambi says.
Speaking about the worrying rise in suicides, clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker says the main cause of depression among adults is work stress.
He says it is important for people to understand the impact of the work environment on adults, because it is so closely linked to their mental health.
Whittaker says this year’s theme,’Mental Health At Work’, is especially relevant.
“I was certainly excited about this theme simply because I think it’s a topic that we don’t focus on enough,” Whittaker says, emphasising the importance of understanding the relationship between the workplace and adult mental health.
He says work stress remains one of the leading causes of depression among adults, according to research.
Whittaker describes October as a period when grown-ups are particularly stressed.
“It’s normally the month when people are extremely stressed out, grown-ups worry about finances, the holidays are at the back of their minds, they worry about their children writing exams,” he says.
Whittaker also highlights the psychological benefits of work
“People want to work, people want to be productive. Work gives individuals a sense of purpose, enhancing their self-esteem and self-worth. The routine and focus provided by employment are crucial to maintaining mental well-being.
“There are many psychological benefits to working,” he adds.
He says people who are unemployed can become suicidal rather quickly.
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