On Thursday, September 19, the Federal Government raised an alarm over the rising cases of suicide in Nigeria, which it revealed stood at 12.9 percent.
This figure, the government noted, was frightening, even as it disclosed that cases of suicide were under-reported in Nigeria.
The concern was raised by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, at an event to mark the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday.
Themed ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide,’ the Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said: “Today, we are gathered to address the issue of suicide, which is a critical issue that affects us. Suicide is the act of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally.
“Available data indicated that the global suicide rate is 9.0 percent per 1,000 deaths, with men being twice more likely to die by suicide than women. Annually, more than 700,000 people die by suicide, which is approximately one in every 100 deaths.
“The suicide rate in Africa is 11.2 percent, 100,000 deaths higher than the global average of 9.0 percent per 100,000, while the available data on suicide rate in Nigeria is at 12.9 percent per 100,000 deaths.
“Suicide rates are mostly high among young people aged between 15 and 29 years, and it’s the fourth leading cause of death among young people in Africa, accounting for 40 percent of all suicide deaths. However, I must say that these data may not reflect the actual prevalence of suicide in Africa, as under-reporting and stigma surrounding mental health issues remain huge barriers against accurate reporting.”
He said the link between suicide and mental health conditions, particularly depression and alcohol use disorders, is well established, while many suicide happen impulsively in moments of crisis when there is a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness among others.
“Today, we join the rest of the world to mark this year’s suicide prevention day with the theme ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ with the call to action, ‘start the conversation.’ This aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides.
“Changing the narrative means we must shift from focusing solely on the tragedy of suicide to the hope of prevention and from taboos, stigma and discrimination to empathy and positive cultural change, as well as from punishment and ostracism to lending helping hands and support. Also, we must shift from sensational reporting to sensitive reporting guided by proper ethical standards.
“By changing how we talk about suicide, we can break down the barriers that prevent people from reaching out for support. We can create a culture where mental health challenges are met with compassion rather than judgment, where every person feels valued and supported, and where the dignity of life is upheld.”
In his remarks, Director, Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike said; “This suicide figure is not just a number; it represents lives lost, dreams unfulfilled, and potentials unrealised.
“Every life is precious and every loss of life to suicide is a tragic reminder of our collective duty to do more, to reach out and to change the narrative around this preventable tragedy. This year’s theme, ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide,’ calls us to rethink how we approach the issue of suicide.
“It challenges us to move beyond the misconceptions, stigma and discrimination that have long surrounded this topic. It is a call to action to foster open conversations, to create supportive environments and to ensure that no one feels isolated or without hope.”
World Health Organisation, WHO, Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi, who was represented by Dr. Mary Brantuo, said the call to action encourages everyone to start the conversation on suicide and its prevention. “Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a supportive and understanding society. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness and create better cultures of support.”
He maintained that this year’s theme emphasises the need to prioritise suicide prevention and mental health in policy making, calling for the government’s action. “Changing the narrative requires advocating for policies that prioritise mental health, increase access to care and provide support for those in need.
“WHO Nigeria is delighted that Nigeria has new Mental Health Act, Mental Health Policy and implementation framework for Mental Health Act, National Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan.
“We pledge to continue supporting the country to implement priority activities towards mental health, including suicide prevention and control, and implantation on key strategic documents. Together, by raising awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations, we can prevent suicide in our country, Nigeria.”
Also, Jibrin Kama, Associate Director, Access Programme, Clinton Health Access Initiative Nigeria, CHAI, said the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework was a testament to the Ministry’s leadership, commitment and vision for a future, where no life is lost to suicide and every individual receives the care and compassion they deserve.
“CHAI has been a critical thought partner to the Government of Nigeria for over 10 years. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to support programme implementation in line with the national strategic direction. Let’s commit ourselves to the fight against suicide. Prevention is possible and with the right strategies, support systems and resources, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, ensure timely interventions and save countless lives,” he said.
However, Nigerians have lambasted the government for contributing largely to the increasing scourge, only to come behind to shed crocodile tears.
Leading the pack on this line of thought is a lawyer, Maxi Okwu, who stated that suicide is on the increase because people are in distress as a result of economic hardship.
He lambasted the Federal Government for decrying the rate of suicide in Nigeria, when it knows exactly what to do to arrest the trend.
“How can a government which under Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution has the primary purpose of the welfare and security of the people of Nigeria be talking about being alarmed?
“If the Federal Government is alarmed, what do we do? Should we run away? If the Federal Government is alarmed, we should go into hiding, is that what the government is saying?
“It is the responsibility of the government to take care of the welfare and security of the people of Nigeria. They have failed on welfare; they have failed on security. That is the truth.
“So, how would people not commit suicide? Right now, the cost of living has gone over the roof; I don’t know how people survive. The Naira has practically become like the Ugandan money under Idi Amin if not worse.
“If you know what the ordinary man on the street goes through, then you will understand why people keep committing suicide.
“So, as far as I am concerned, it is the responsibility of the government to create an enabling environment for people to thrive and be happy, and the government is not doing so,” he told DAILY POST.
He blamed Nigerians for the choice they made during the 2023 general election, saying what Nigerians were going through was a result of that choice.
“We are tired of saying that the government has not lived up to its constitutional responsibility, because again, there was an opportunity for the people to vote and bring in a people’s government, but somehow, they didn’t do it.
“So, the APC administration, right from former President Muhammadu Buhari, was a total disaster and it has continued.
“The change of guard did not change anything. The APC under Buhari was an unmitigated disaster, because they practically killed Nigeria.
“In a proper democracy, there is no way the APC would have been returned but here we are with another APC government.
“So, the government knows why people are committing suicide and it should fix the problem instead of raising alarm that would not amount to anything,” he submitted.
Also, the president of Middle Belt Forum, MBF; Dr Pogu Bitrus advised the government to look inward at its economic policies which he said have largely been responsible for hardship in the country, instead of raising alarm.
He said: The Federal Government should look inward because people don’t just commit suicide like that. It is when people find that life is not worth living that they commit suicide.
“So, the economic policies of the government have pushed people to the wall to the extent that some people can’t even eat and there is suffering all over the place.
“People can’t even transport themselves anywhere because the cost of transportation has skyrocketed. Even if you work hard, the Naira has been so devalued that you can’t get anything with it, even to eat food once a day has become such a herculean task.
“So, all these things have put so much pressure on the people. There are no jobs anywhere, and even when they are available, the highest bidder gets it because everything has been monetized due to corruption.
“There is no merit anymore; there is nothing like you came out with first class, second class or whatever; that doesn’t guarantee anybody a job in Nigeria today.
“And when your parents are not well to do, even paying for your schooling becomes a big problem.
“All these have placed so much pressure on our youths and those who can’t bear it, especially those who are not grounded in religious doctrine where committing suicide is a sin, look for the easy way out and that easy way is to take their lives thinking that by doing so, the problems will be over.”
He said it was quite unfortunate that such a statement was coming from the government.
He advised the government to take a second look at the policies that were making life miserable and so difficult for Nigerians to the extent that even the young people were massively committing suicide.
“That is what I want the government to do. I mean, subsidy has been taken away and at the same time the Naira has been devalued.
“When this government came in, the Naira was already devalued to N740 or thereabout. Buhari took over from Goodluck Jonathan at a time when one dollar was N198 or thereabout; it wasn’t up to N200. Buhari messed it up and took it to N740 per dollar.
“Now President Tinubu has devalued it further by over 100 percent, taking 1$ to N1650. So, that devaluation plus the cost of energy has affected the cost of food, alongside banditry and insecurity all over the place.
“All those have impacted negatively on livelihood and people who cannot bear it have resorted to taking their lives. So, rather than raising alarm, the government should look inwards and address the issues.
“If people stole our money in the past, the government should bring them back and let us revive the economy, so that as the economic conditions improve, even if there are no jobs, people can get money that have value, so that the living condition can be tolerable and the plan to take one’s life will be diminished.
“By doing so, we will have vibrant young people coming up to replace those of us who are aging so that Nigeria will continue to be a vibrant nation. So, the government should stop raising alarm over a situation it has absolute control over. It should do the needful instead of raising unnecessary alarms,” he further told DAILY POST.