Khomas Governor, Laura Mcleod-Katjirua, has expressed concern with the ‘shocking and worrisome’ rate of suicides in the country, saying there is an urgent need to create awareness and practical interventions to address the matter.
Recent statistics show that at least 745 people in Namibia took their own lives between January 2020 and June 2021, while 1 172 people attempted or thought of committing suicide within that same period.
Of those that committed suicide, 609 are men and 35 are children under the age of 18.
Mcleod-Katjirua said this on Friday during the commemoration of the World Suicide Day, where she noted that the country is losing active citizens on a regular basis, adding that the situation, therefore, calls for a collective responsibility to enforce effective, tangible and evident-based interventions at all influential levels of society.
She further urged health experts and social workers to continue giving the community the necessary information to be in a better position to detect the suicidal signs, intentions, thoughts, tendencies and behaviours early, for proactive preventative interventions.
“We must be vigilant, observant and always strictly avoid underestimating any simple suicidal intentions in our community setup. I also humbly request our fellow brothers and sisters who might be at any moment cornered or kept hostage by any depression or social problems to share with your trusted or loved ones to avoid any suicide. Problems shared are actually problems solved,” she said.
Deputy Inspector-General in the Namibian Police Force, Joseph Shikongo, at the same occasion said it is important that society remains humane and supportive to each other during both the happy times and times of hardship.
“Life is a long journey with many with ups and downs, lessons, joy, sorrow, celebration, commemoration, success, failure, happiness and sadness. It is, therefore, important to understand that in this life journey, we need each other, we need love, we need support, and all-in-all, a word of encouragement to overcome the obstacles in life,” Shikongo said.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
