Agency Nigerians have been advised to refrain from resorting to suicide and stop all forms of stigma attached to people diagnosed with mental illnesses. A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Adeola Ajayi, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Osogbo on Thursday. Ajayi, who is a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital, said stigmatising individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses could prevent them from seeking help.
She said, “Anybody can be sick, and when we see anybody with mental illness, do not stigmatise them. It is stigmatising, majorly, that prevents people from coming out for help when they are sick.” Also, she noted that attempted suicide could be a cry for help.
“Families and friends should have increased level of suspicion to pick the changes in behaviour before things could deteriorate to the point of suicide”, she added. She, however, spoke on some of the causes of increased suicide in Nigeria. “The increased prevalence of mental disorders, is a risk factor for suicide.
Drug abuse (alcohol), financial insecurity, poverty, family instability, and traumatic events are causes of suicide also.” She added that suicide and suicidal attempts were punishable under the law but added that it was hatred towards oneself for anyone wanting to commit suicide. “Instead of punishing attempted suicide cases, people should rally around and bring them to the hospital.
Let them know there is a way out. Depression has a c.