Suicide! Is it the Answer?

In this peice, Anthonia Akanji writes on ways of discouraging suicide in the society.

A quote by an anonymous author says “suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better”

Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die over various issues.

Research shows that, people choose to end their lives when faced with different life challenges such as death of a loved one, loss of job, diagnosis of a major illness, financial difficulty and failed relationship, as well as mental imbalance.

When these sudden events occur, some people lack the wherewithal mentally, socially and economically to cope, hence the suicide option crept into their brain.

Other factors that could trigger suicidal thoughts include conflict, disasters, abuse and a sense of isolation.

Report has it that suicide is rife among vulnerable groups such as refugees, orphans and prisoners.

Statistics by the World Health Organization, W.H.O. show that seven hundred thousand people die due to suicide every year whiles it is fourth leading cause of death among teenagers.

W.H.O. says suicide is a serious public health concern which needs urgent action as it leaves lasting effects on the people left behind.

Psychiatrists have identified pointers to suicide to include withdrawal, extreme sadness, talking a lot about death, trying to get access to pills or firearms and extreme hopelessness.

Methods of suicide globally are ingestion of pesticides, drug overdose, hangings, use of firearms and drowning but twenty percent of global suicide are due to pesticide self-poisoning according to research by the experts.

For this reason, national agency for food, drugs administration and control, NAFDAC placed a ban on sale of sniper and other agricultural pesticides to curb its wrong use.

Cases of suicide and suicidal attempts abound in the media and this has raised a concern from different quarters to reduce the menace.

For instance, a new generation bank staff, Mwokene Godson reportedly committed suicide in Sapele, Delta State and his remains was found dangling from the scaffold of a water tank.

Last week, it was reported that a three hundred level student of the University of Jos, Henry Eli committed suicide over the on-going ASUU strike, and allegedly left a note for his parents.

Moreover, in Kwara state, a middle aged man, Olakunle Obaoye killed himself over debt owed while another man Idris Shuaib hanged on a cashew tree over impotence. Another middle aged man was seen in a video posted on the social media jumping into the lagoon in Lagos.

According to section 327 of the criminal code act and suicide is a crime, while suicide attempt is also punishable by one year imprisonment.

Rather than punishing the offenders, the act should be seen as a desperate plea for help and therefore appropriate response and alternative provided.

Suicide must no longer be termed a taboo but openly and thoroughly discussed for society to know its effect.

The country need to come up with data on suicide to mitigate causes and the way out.

Religious leaders should come out openly and let people know that the holy books frown at suicide and it is a crime against Islam and Christianity.

This is pivotal to acheiving the W.H.O. mental health action plan aimed at reducing suicide in countries by one third by 2030.

Be it as it may, suicide is never an option and in the words of former UK prime minister, Winston Churchill, “never, never, never give up