Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibians to break the silence surrounding mental health and suicide, while acknowledging the grief experienced by families who have lost loved ones to suicide.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Nandi-Ndaitwah made the call in a statement issued on Friday to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, commemorated under the theme, 'Changing the Narrative on Suicide'. She urged Namibians to replace silence with open dialogue, judgement with understanding and hopelessness with compassion.

'Many families and communities teach us to demonstrate strength by concealing pain. This is particularly true for men and boys, who are often expected to endure difficulties silently and may fear appearing weak if they seek assistance,' Nandi-Ndaitwah said. She stressed that silence should not be regarded as a sign of strength when it leaves people isolated in despair.

'There is courage in speaking honestly and allowing others to help,' she said. The President urged people who feel overwhelmed to seek support from someone they trust, stressing that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a human response to distress.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said crises can arise from various circumstances, including financial difficulties, unemployment, relationship breakdowns, grief, illness, loneliness, family pressures, and emotional distress. She noted that people have different capacities to cope with challenges and urged Namibians to respect the pain of others rather than dismiss their struggles.

'There are people among us who have known such dark moments and survived them. Many will tell you that speaking to someone, receiving professional support, or simply being given time and understanding helped them to make it through. Their experiences remind us that a moment of crisis can pass, even when the person living through it cannot yet see a way forward,' she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah further called for an end to the stigma surrounding mental and emotional distress, saying people experiencing difficulties deserve understanding rather than judgement. She said the recent passage of the Mental Health Bill by Parliament represents significant progress towards a modern, rights-based approach to mental healthcare, with a focus on community-based services, early intervention, and suicide prevention.

The President, however, stressed that legislation must be supported by effective implementation, trained professionals, and accessible services for people in need. She reaffirmed Namibia's solidarity with families mourning loved ones lost to suicide, stressing that every life has value and that even during difficult circumstances, there is reason to persevere.