SUICIDE: THE SILENT SCOURGE written by Nelly Nwaka' Ohuche
Every suicide is a mystery; not just for the one who committed the act but to the ones left behind to, not only understand the mystery behind it, but to live with the pain and stigma that trails it. Suicide doesn’t end the pain; it just transfers it to another.
While Africans and Nigerians especially sarcastically claim that it is un-Nigerian to commit suicide, yet it has become rampant, though under reported. There has been various cases of suicide lately especially amongst young people. Nigerians and Lagosians particularly will not forget in a hurry the case of Dr. Allwell Orji, a Medical Doctor who plunged into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge in 2017. In May, there was the case of Chukwuemeka Akachi, a promising 400-level student of the department of English and Literary Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka who was reported to have committed suicide. His action was attributed to a deteriorating mental health.
Another was the case of Samuel Elias, a final year student of the same University of Nigeria, Nsukka who also committed suicide out of frustration of not being able to complete his final year project. Uzakah Timi Ebiweni, a 300-level medical student of Niger Delta University who committed suicide after he failed his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery exams is another pathetic case. In another sorry case, a Gospel Artiste Michael Arowosaiye hung himself in Abuja. Sadly, the list is endless.
Suicide is a global scare. Earlier this week, Gregory Eells, the Executive Director Counseling and Psychological services at the University of Pennsylvania in the US died by suicide. For someone with his pedigree that headed a department that helps “students adjust to University life, manage personal and situational challenges, develop coping strategies, and grow personally and professionally”, that obviously gets one thinking why he couldn’t help himself.
Still this week, Jarrid Wilson, a US based Pastor committed suicide. Ironically, Jarrid was an author, mental health advocate and the founder of Anthem of Hope, a non-profit that creates resources for churches to assist those living with depression, anxiety, self-harm, addiction and suicide. He was always open about his struggles with depression so wanted to help those dealing with suicidal thoughts. Ironically, on the day he took his life, he officiated a funeral for a woman who had committed suicide. This also points to the fact that that even Pastors and spiritual leaders are not spared the pains and struggles of everyday life, and the mystery of suicide.
The world Health Organization reports an estimated 800,000 cases of suicide annually. It has been identified as the second leading cause of death in young people below age 30.This scary figure is a result of undiagnosed and untreated mental health challenges. Awareness is yet another major challenge especially amongst Nigerians.
Like Ola Rotimi puts it in The gods are not to blame, “…all lizards lie prostrate: how can a man tell which lizard suffers from belly ache”. Since Mental health issues are not readily identified, a huge number of people walk around looking all put together yet with all sorts of mental health illnesses untreated. Mental health plays a major role in the recent increase in suicide cases, and this is triggered by stress, depression, overwhelming situations related to health, work, career, family, relationship and economic situations.
Often times, we loosely use the word depression however depression is beyond being unhappy, sad or some mood swing. Depression affects day-to-day activity, from a person’s association with others, to his appetite and general disposition to life and living. It is a combination of biochemistry, genetics, personality and environmental factors, and all of these climaxes into mental health illnesses.
As the world over marks Suicide Prevention Week, let us all look out for each other, be our brothers’ keeper, check up on the next person, be attentive to subtle signs from people, and be genuinely emphatic to people especially if they confide in us about their plight and challenges. Let’s all encourage people around us that when overwhelmed with life challenges, they should speak to someone who can help. Lets encourage them to seek professional help also. Support groups can be of so much help with uplifting a depressed person from the pit of depression whether they are family groups, religious or social groups. Make it a point of duty today to check up on a family, friend, colleague, a neighbor or that random person down the street just to lend a listening ear. You just might be saving a life. This way, we can fight this tragic epidemic that has dragged thousands of beautiful minds to an early grave. Let's create a world where there is zero suicide.
Written by: Nelly Nwaka’ Ohuche
September 2019
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