Preventing suicides

Within the last one year, cases of suicides and attempted suicides have been rampant in the country.  Some of the common reasons given by those who survived suicide attempts or left by the dead in suicide notes range from debts, poverty and hunger resulting from the  recession in the country, illness, and failed ponzi schemes, […]

Within the last one year, cases of suicides and attempted suicides have been rampant in the country. 

Some of the common reasons given by those who survived suicide attempts or left by the dead in suicide notes range from debts, poverty and hunger resulting from the  recession in the country, illness, and failed ponzi schemes, among others.

Those who have committed suicide or made attempts cut across all strata of the society; people from the lower rung of the society to those seemingly well placed. The common methods used include overdosing on drugs, hanging self, using firearms and poisonous chemicals, and interestingly drowning as was seen in the rush to jump over the Third Mainland Bridge into the lagoon in Lagos a few weeks ago.

It is important for individuals, families, governments, communities and the media to all contribute their quota towards preventing suicides among the populace.

Health experts say some of the signs that someone maybe thinking or planning to commit suicide include change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviours, when a person is always talking or thinking about death or killing self, when a person  loses interest in things he or she used to care about before, and making comments about being worthless, helpless or hopeless.

Others include when the person has depression, takes risks that could lead to death, sudden switch from being very sad to being happy, visiting or calling people to say goodbye, looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means, acting recklessly and withdrawing from activities to mention a few.

They said people around anyone exhibiting these signs or who has attempted suicide before should be concerned and seek help from experts and appropriate authorities.

 “It is unfortunate that we have to wait for disaster before we take proactive measures to curb the situation,” said Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri,a  Consultant Neuro – Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist.

“Suicide has been in existence in Nigeria, it just wasn’t this magnified. It is because a doctor that Nigerians believe should know better was involved that this brought out the many crisis we are facing. After that incidence, we have been having the werther effect or copycat suicide every now and then.”

 Dr Kadiri who is also the Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services, Lagos said people commit suicide for several reasons, such as depression, reactions to failure and disappointments, response to accumulated domestic violence, unemployment, alcohol dependence, drug use and abuse, among others. 

“Against the general belief that suicide results from mental illness, not all people who commit suicide are mentally ill,” she said. 

She said suicide prevention needs proper coordination and collaboration to ensure effective outcomes. According to her, suicide is not the best way of dealing with personal loss or the way to manage any situation. “Suicide has to stop and this involves joint campaign by everyone,” she said.

“There is need to develop resilience (the ability to cope with adverse life events and adjust to them), a sense of personal self-worth and self-confidence, effective coping and problem-solving skills, and adaptive help-seeking behaviour because they  are often considered to be protective  factors against the development of suicidal behaviours,” she advised. 

To prevent suicide, World Health Organization (WHO) also emphasises the need to address depression. Dr Matshidiso Moeti , Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for Africa said depression can lead to suicide, which is now the second leading cause of death in 15 – 29 year olds globally.

WHO said suicides were preventable and effective interventions exist. 

“First and foremost, early identification and treatment of depression and alcohol use disorders are key for the prevention of suicide at individual level, as well as follow-up contact with those who have attempted suicide and psychosocial support in communities. Equally important are effective interventions at population level aiming to reduce access to the means of suicide, to adopt responsible reporting of suicide by the media, and to introduce alcohol policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. From the health systems perspective, it is imperative for health-care services to incorporate suicide prevention as a core component,” the organization said. 

WHO also says follow-up care by health workers through regular contact, including by phone or home visits, for people who have attempted suicide, together with provision of community support, are essential, because people who have already attempted suicide are at the greatest risk of trying again.

Dr Kadiri, the Consultant Neuro – Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist said the burden of depression and other mental health conditions was on the rise globally. 

She said depression affects people of all ages, from all walks of life, in all countries saying it causes mental anguish and impacts on people’s ability to carry out even the simplest every day tasks, with sometimes devastating consequences for relationships with family and friends and the ability to earn a living.

“When mild, people can be treated without medicines but when depression is moderate or severe they may need medication and professional talking treatments,” she said.

The doctor explained that depression was on the increase in the country because the risk of becoming depressed was increased by poverty, unemployment, life events such as the death of a loved one or a relationship break-up, financial challenges, physical illness and problems caused by alcohol and drug use.

She said although there are known, effective treatments for depression, fewer than half of those affected in the world (in many countries, fewer than 10%) receive such treatments. 

Barriers to effective care she said include a lack of resources, lack of trained health care providers, and social stigma associated with mental disorders. 

Dr Kadiri said another barrier to effective care was inaccurate assessment. 

“In countries of all income levels, people who are depressed are often not correctly diagnosed, and others who do not have the disorder are too often misdiagnosed and prescribed antidepressants,” she said.