Healthcare expert seeks suicide prevention awareness to check rising cases

A Healthcare Administrator; Nkem DenChukwu, on Wednesday, called for suicide prevention and mental health awareness to curb the rising spate of suicide across the country.

DenChukwu, who is also an Author and Filmmaker based in Texas, made the call in an interview in Yenagoa, noted that suicide was preventable. “Death is inevitable! Suicide is a murderer that can be stopped.” She said.

She advocated the establishment of more specialized mental health facilities as well as capacity building for existing mental health practitioners alongside the mental health awareness to promote access to mental health facilities.

NKEM DENCHUKWU

She noted that frequent rising reports of people was worrisome and required concerted efforts to encourage people to seek mental health services as soon as the early warning signals of depression were noticed.

DenChukwu explained that the cultural practices prevent people to admitting that depression is a medical condition with remedies, and not a taboo, should be discarded.

She said that rising cases of suicide pointed to the poor mental health attitude in the society leading to avoidable deaths if preventive measures were taken by seeking help.

According to her, at every point in time people are either contemplating suicide, attempting suicide, committing’ suicide due to several factors.

 “Suicide is an act of cowardice, an escape, a selfish act, a disease, lack of faith in self or in life, Some commit suicide after being raped, losing a loved one, feeling hopeless or weak, or delusional. 

“We can all help prevent suicide, at least, reduce its statistics because the warning signs are always there. I mean the signs and warning signals are always very glaring. We have to be 110% attentive to the smallest signs. A bit more attention can save a life.

“Many that take to suicide do not want to die. They want what’s causing their pain or grief to stop or be relieved. They often won’t ask for help and want to be left alone. 

“Understanding how they are feeling is very important to know. Don’t tell them you understand because you don’t. You are not in their shoes to understand. Every shoe feels differently.

“Taking each day and each moment, one breath at a time matters. Encourage someone with suicide tendency to find a happy place they can always go to, and then, share with others.

 “We should always be there to listen and not to judge. Encourage them to share their thoughts no matter how bad they may seem. Remind them of the strength and the power they possess within to overcome.”