Rising cases of suicide

The spate of suicide cases reported in the media has in recent times attained worrisome level in the country. Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering or a troubling situation that has become unbearable to a suicidal person. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately one million people die annually from suicide. Just recently, […]

The spate of suicide cases reported in the media has in recent times attained worrisome level in the country. Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering or a troubling situation that has become unbearable to a suicidal person. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately one million people die annually from suicide.
Just recently, a 21-year-old man committed suicide after drinking a substance suspected to be rat poison in Byazhin village, Kubwa; a satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The deceased identified as Chinonso was said to have dropped a note for his mother that he wanted “to go and rest.” Another 23-year-old man, Ugochukwu Ekwe, also committed suicide at Festac Town, Lagos, over the colour of his skin; being an albino. His dangling body was discovered in the apartment he lived with his parents and siblings in Festac Town. It was gathered that he refused to eat before the incidence; in protest of what he described as rejection and stigmatization by people because of his skin condition.
Also, a father of four reportedly committed suicide by hanging in Oke Aro area of Akure, the Ondo state capital. The deceased, identified as Dayo, reportedly took his own life when he found it difficult to fend for his family. It was learned that the deceased, a driver, had of recent been having problems with owners of the commercial vehicle he drove.
Just last week too, there was confusion at the Onitea area of Osogbo in Osun state following the discovery of the remains of a 27-year old man, Adekola Busari, who had hanged himself. Media reports indicate that Busari was indebted to a micro-finance bank which his wife had assisted him to offset. It remained N18, 000 to be settled when the man took his own life. A similar case is that of a man in his 50s who recently hanged himself in Dutse Makaranta in Bwari Area Council of the FCT. The deceased, identified as Tijani and a father of five, had worked with the FCT Water Board as a casual staff before he was eventually laid off. He reportedly committed suicide due to his inability to meet up with his family responsibilities.
Untreated depression, according to medical experts, is the number one cause of suicide. There are several other causes that could lead to suicide. They include death of a beloved one; divorce or breakup of a relationship; losing custody of children; rejection by family members; physical and sexual abuse including rape; incarceration; drug and alcohol abuse; bullying and humiliation; molestation and stigmatization; a serious loss such as loss of job, house or money; terminal illness; hopelessness that sprout from feelings that things will never get better; a feeling of failure in life; financial problems; loneliness or social isolation; unemployment; war; mental illness; and family history.
Some suicidal warnings or signs in a suicidal person include having problems with eating, sleeping and socialization; reckless behavior such as over-speeding while driving or driving through red lights; talking about suicide; giving away possessions; visiting friends and relations to say ‘Goodbye’; researching suicide methods; buying suicide materials and writing suicide notes.
Apart from being alien to our culture, suicide is a worthless venture in the same way it stigmatizes families. Suicide is a taboo. Government, the society, parents and individuals all have distinct and collective roles to play in curbing the tide of suicide in the country. Suicide does not just happen suddenly. Parents and family members have the foremost role of identifying warning signs and taking measures to address such as soon as suicidal symptoms manifest in their children and siblings.
Every potential means or instrument of suicide such as pills, knives, razors or firearms, should be kept out of the reach of a suicidal person. His medications too should be locked away or given out only as the person needs them. Family members particularly parents are advised to avoid putting undue pressures on their children over issues in which their choice matters; especially if they have come of age.
Religious leaders in mosques and churches have a great role in counseling their audience on the significance of patience and perseverance in life; citing historical evidence from the life and teachings of prophets and other virtuous men of God.
Government, which at all levels has over the years abdicated its responsibilities in the area of job creation, education and health is encouraged to revive and strengthen social welfare offices and rehabilitation centers. Jobless graduates of sociology, counseling and psychology could be employed to work in social welfare offices and rehabilitation centers. Government could equally curb the high incidence of suicide through the provision of equipped television viewing centers, sports and recreation centers, as well community libraries.