By Suleiman Tajudeen
CITIZENS COMPASS–Suicide is the act of intentional causing one’s death. It is also the deliberate act of killing oneself. Globally, suicide cases were said to be at an increased rate in recent years. Suicide is leading cause of death in the United States of America (USA) with 45, 979 deaths reported in 2020.
It affects all ages and in 2020, it was the top nine (9) leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 64 in the United States (CDC, 2020)
Nigeria with a population of over 200 million is one of the epicentres of it in the world with a suicide estimate of 17.3 per 100,000, which is higher than the global 10.5 per 100,000 and Africa’s 12.0 per 100,000 estimates, although Lesotho was also said to have high rate of suicide rate in Africa at 87.5 per 100,000 population in 2019.
Generally, cases of depression were said to be higher in Nigeria compared with other African countries. It was reported in PUNCH newspaper that 79 Nigerians die of suicide in 2022 and several cases were reported in 2023 Like many developing countries, the cases in Nigeria were grossly under-reported and documented due to the non-existence of vital statistical system but not with-standing, the rates in Nigeria are alarming as they cut across all ages.
Warning signs:
• Feeling hopeless or trapped
• Expressing feelings of extreme sadness or worthlessness
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Expressing a desire to die or kill oneself (Self-harm).
• Having attempted it in the past
• Has long-term pains, a disabling and terminal illness
• Has a mental health condition such as mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders etc
• Has money or legal challenges
• Has violent or impulsive behavior
• Has alcohol or other substance abuse problems
• Has a history of physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect and bullying
• Has lost relationships through breakup, divorce or death
• Has a family history of death by suicide
• When an individual is socially isolated or lacks supports from family members.
• Ashamed to ask for help, especially help for mental health conditions
• Lacking access to health care services, especially mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation programmes
• Holding cultural or religious belief that suicide is a noble option to resolve a personal dilemma or problems
• Having become aware of an increased number of local suicides or an increase in medical coverage of death by suicide
• Having experienced childhood trauma and abuse
• Saying goodbyes to friends and family indirectly
• Giving away personal belongings and wrapping up loose ends
• Talking about not having a reason to live or others would be better off without them
Common Causes of suicide in Nigeria
Watch out for part 2 next week.
Dr Sulaiman Tajudeen is Head, Clinical Psychology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba, Lagos State.
