SUICIDE REQUIRES CLOSER ATTENTION

Sir,

The increasing cases of suicide in this country require closer attention. The young and old have their lives taken prematurely. 

People are committing suicide because they don’t have social mechanisms to relate with. Traditionally we have family support, but as we become urbanised, people are now on their own.

In other parts of the world, they have established sound services where people can make contact with those social services. Currently, the traditional family structure is breaking down because of urbanisation, yet we are not establishing a socio-support system, and as a result, there will be an increase in suicide cases.

Remember 

Committing suicide is bad, and is not worth trying at all. Those still planning to commit suicide should remember that when they die, they are leaving behind many people in perpetual pain and misery. So they should please not do it. 

With an average rate of one in every 40 seconds, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is the number one killer. Even if that is a global index painting a general picture, a recent survey shows that many emaSwati have committed suicide in the past few years than in previous times, although some of the deaths are not reported. It should worry us all that too many citizens of the country are taking their own lives. 

Strategy

Eswatini is among countries with no national suicide prevention strategy and it is something we must look into. The strategy, according to WHO, includes ‘the responsible reporting of suicides by the media’ to avoid the risk of inspiring copycat attempts as well as care for people suffering from mental and substance abuse disorders, chronic pain and emotional distress. Many people say they attempted taking their lives after bouts of depression. 

EmaSwati must be encouraged to be more open as they grapple with their frustrations. Many suicide notes are filled with confessions that the victims had no one to talk to. Loneliness and the absence of support are the bedrock of suicide incidents.

The harsh economic and COVID-19 related challenges have resulted in massive job losses. Thousands of emaSwati are hard-pressed to make ends meet and are living from hand-to-mouth. Unemployment crises have led to a situation where graduates cannot find even menial jobs. 

Many citizens are hungry and cannot afford basic things in life as getting a job is difficult. The much talked about 2022 is too academic and not really useful because for all of us, it’s an obstacle. The conditions attached to it are so stringent that only the rich and already established can benefit. This widens the existing gap between the rich and poor. Many emaSwati are stressed and they cannot wish that away. 

Perform

Without delay, government should perform its statutory duties by creating an enabling environment for job creation. It is imperative that more trauma centres are established without delay and manned by sound psychiatrists for counselling purposes. Churches, schools at all levels and community centres should have functional counselling departments. Functional telephone lines and other communication platforms should be open and accessible to all. Non-governmental actors should do more in saving our people from suicide.

There is need for significant improvement of mental health services in this country. Government needs to wake up and help this nation. We are hurting and we are dying.

Colleen Matsebula

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