Of late, Nigeria has witnessed a tremendous rise in the number of suicide cases in the country.
Nigeria is gradually seeing a return to having policemen mount guards on Lagos bridges, especially the Third Mainland Bridge, considered to be a suicide hotbed, to arrest those with suicide intent.
The Nigerian constitution frowns deeply at suicide and clearly spelt out punitive measures for those caught embarking on such venture.
Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, titled, ‘Attempting to commit suicide’, criminalises the act.
“Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year,” the code states.
According to the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal, depression is a major public health problem with a prevalence of 4.4 per cent in the global population, and 5.4 per cent in the African region and affects about 322 million people globally.
The publication noted that depression, like in other regions of the world, is more common among females (5.9 per cent) compared to males (4.9 per cent) in Africa. The prevalence of depression in Nigeria is estimated at 3.1 per cent, while the estimated incidence increased worldwide by 49.86 per cent from 172 million in 1990 to 258 million in 2017. There is a notable increase in Western sub-Saharan Africa by 124.42 per cent.
Apart from the book’s explanation of the factors that precipitate suicidal ideation, we need to research on the factors fueling suicidal ideation in young adults because before suicide takes place, it would have been thought of; it is a product of deep thoughts.
The rising suicides are occurring against the backdrop of a struggling economy in Nigeria. Unemployment rates are high, GDP per capita is declining, and inflation is on the rise. These economic challenges create immense stress and depression, particularly when individuals lack a robust social support system to help them navigate tough times.
Many Nigerians blame the current spike in the number of people dying by suicide to the dire economic situation.
They argue that the economic condition in the country has reduced or stopped the level of support people get at the family level because most people no longer have enough to take care of themselves.
They said people no longer have the psychological wherewithal to cope with the situation in the country and have taken to suicide ideations.
“To address the multifaceted nature of suicide, a holistic approach is necessary. Families, communities, educational institutions, and the government must collaborate to provide the support network that individuals need.”
Instead of facing the challenges, some people begin to see themselves as the cause of the problems they are facing and with it come this self-guilt that leads to depression and consequently, suicide attempts or they end up committing suicide.
The recent happenings in Nigeria is gradually sliding many citizens, especially youth, into depression, leading to rising cases of suicide, suicidal tendencies and suicide attempts among Nigerians, who have refused to seek help from psychologists or psychiatrists due to stigmatization.
There is a need to educate people to seek help for mental illness as such a move does not mean that they are mad or less human.
Nigerians need to see psychological or psychiatry treatment just the way we see seeking help for malaria and headache.
It is quite unfortunate that people with emotional hurts seek spiritual solutions, instead of getting professional help.
There should be more awareness and education on this issue. People should know that there is a need to seek help when depressed.
The government is currently giving out palliatives to Nigerians and such quick intervention is needed to calm the situation. The palliatives should be sustained as a quick psychological win.
The government should also create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, especially the SMEs that would support the poor and young people.
More importantly, family and friends should check on their loved ones.
Nigerians need to be trained on how to manage the situation in the country.
The first thing that happens to a depressed person is that he turns the anger to himself instead of looking for a solution. They need to be told that they are not the problems, and hence, they need to be happy and love themselves too.
Depression is a major co-efficient of suicide, yet many people never felt that it is a serious mental health issue that should be given serious attention to save the lives.
Depressed patients need help and require the services of psychologists or psychiatrists.
The stigma associated with depression, especially among those seeking the services of psychologists or psychiatrists in Nigeria, is one of the reasons people who need evaluation of their mental health shy away from professional services, thereby worsening the already precarious situation.
However, it is gladdening that the World Health Organisation targets 2030 to achieve a reduction of the global suicide rate by one-third.
Sequel to this, the WHO has launched an intervention known as ‘Live Life’.
To address the multifaceted nature of suicide, a holistic approach is necessary. Families, communities, educational institutions, and the government must collaborate to provide the support network that individuals need.
Creating spaces for open conversations about mental health, reducing stigmas, and offering accessible mental health resources are crucial steps in the right direction. Just as societal attitudes have evolved over time, so too can our collective response to suicide.
While the Nigerian government has taken some steps, such as banning the open sale of certain pesticides used for suicide and establishing initiatives like the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative, a multi-faceted approach is needed.
Additionally, economic support through grants or loans for students is recommended as a means to alleviate financial stressors. However, addressing this complex issue requires a holistic approach that involves mental health awareness, access to treatment, and societal transformation.
As Nigeria grapples with this escalating crisis, the urgency to address mental health and suicide prevention cannot be overstated. The rising suicides serve as a grim reminder of the need to foster a supportive environment for the country’s youth, ensuring that they have the resources and resilience to navigate life’s challenges.
