11 Sep 2014

The rising statistics of suicide across the globe which stand at almost 800 000 people are a concern but can be prevented by sharing problems with others

Speaking at the world suicide prevention day commemoration at Deborah Retief Memorial hospital on September 10, Dr Farrar Otieno said the number of lives lost each year through suicide exceeded the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined.

“Connectedness is crucial to individual who may be vulnerable to suicide, studies have shown that social isolation can increase the risk of suicide and conversely that having strong bonds can be protective against it”, he said.

Dr Oteino also noted that reaching out to those who had become disconnected from others and offering them support and friendship may be a lifesaving act.

Dr Oteino noted that suicide was the fifth leading causes of death among people of 30 to 49 years in the year 2012 globally adding that it was also the second leading causes of death in the 15 to 29 years age group in 2012 globally.

He said it was estimated that during 2012, for each adult who died of suicide, there were over 20 others who made suicide attempts. 

Mental illness, he said, particularly depression and alcohol use disorders were major risk factors for suicide adding that primary care providers often are the first part call for people with mental illness whom he said are not always able to diagnose and treat mental illness.

“Specialist mental health care providers are not always available, so referral options may be limited”, lamented Dr Oteino. 

Furthermore, he said connectedness and collaboration between services are also important in preventing suicide noting that the right service or individual clinician must be available at the right time for someone with mental health problem and must be able to offer the full range of treatment options.

Dr Oteino urged parents to talk to their children as they are the most people who commit suicide adding that suicide is preventable as long as people connect to each other by sharing their problems.

For her part Mrs Dimpho Keolebogile who is a nurse at the hospital said the objective of the day is to promote awareness that suicide is a public health problem that is preventable noting that it is also to develop broad based support for suicide prevention.

She said another objective is to improve reporting and portrayals of suicidal behavior, mental illness and substance abuse in the entertainment and media. 

“World suicide prevention day is also important as it promotes and support research on suicide and suicide prevention. We are concerned as health workers at the alarming rate of suicide attempts which last year stood 35 women and 15 men who attempted suicide”, she noted.

Inspector Lucky Gouwe from Mochudi Police also said there are so many cases of suicide reported to their offices adding that so far they have recorded 9 deaths since January up to date.

Inspector Gouwe encouraged people to seek help if they have some problems noting that suicide is not the solution.

The day was celebrated under the theme: Suicide prevention, one world connected. ENDS