In August 2023, a video surfaced on the Nigerian social media space, featuring a middle aged woman, on the sideways of the ever-busy Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. She had stepped out of her SUV and apparently made an attempt to jump into the lagoon. Fortunately, the suicide attempt was prevented by other road users, who swiftly intervened to rescue her. But not everyone is usually this lucky. This brings to mind the case of Williams, a third year medical student of the University of Lagos who allegedly took his own life just about two weeks ago. Unfortunately, Williams’ case was just one out of many, thus begging the pertinent question: why do suicides happen?
The topic of suicide is sophisticated and sensitive, bordering around culture, religion, mental health and other issues. And while we struggle to understand why a person may choose to end their own life, suicide continually remains a huge public health concern, claiming about 700, 000 lives globally, every year. For every successful suicide attempt, there are at least 20 unsuccessful ones. This complex and challenging nature of suicide therefore necessitates a careful, yet holistic response from everyone involved in the fight. This approach is hinged on changing the narrative about suicide and was the focal point of the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day, marked on September 10.
So who are the people at risk of suicide?
Individuals who have experienced any or more of the following have been found to be at risk of suicide:
- Previous suicide attempt(s)
- An incidence of suicide in the family
- Substance abuse
- Mental health conditions like depression and bipolar affective disorder
- Dysfunctional marriage or family
- Losses and other life altering events (death of a loved one, academic failures and workload, breakups, financial issues, legal problems)
- Trauma, abuse, and bullying
- Access to lethal means (firearms, poisons, and even unsafe prescription medications)
- Chronic physical illnesses and pain
- Social isolation
- Exposure to suicidal behaviours and ideation of others
How can you help?
In view of all that this post has highlighted thus far, here is what you can do to support someone who may be having suicidal thoughts:
- Ask: You simply cannot go wrong with this. Asking someone if they are having suicidal thoughts does not worsen their situation in any way. So, if you are concerned about someone possibly having suicidal ideas, ask them intelligently.
- Be there for them: Speak with them (in person or on phone) and offer any form of help they need, as much as you can
- Keep them safe: Reduce their access to lethal means
- Connect them: Link them up with available support. Here are some available entities for suicide support in Nigeria with their helplines in parentheses:
- Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (09080217555, 09034400009, 08111909909 and 0701381114)
- Asido Foundation ( 09028080416)
- Lagos State Government (08058820777 and 09030000741)
- Follow up: Reach out. Send a text or give them a call. Let them know you still think about and are still there for them.
In the quest for a suicide-free society, we all must commit less to dismissive social constructs on the issue, embrace kindness and humanity, and create space for unashamed and unbridled conversations. Ultimately, it takes a lot of courage to look death in the face. So if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, remember that this courage can always be rechanneled to forging ahead with life.
Inspired by the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day, Celebrated on September 10.
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