Chijioke Iremeka A global community of mental health practitioners comprising over 10 mental health organisations, Nigerian Mental Health, has said that Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Society Organisations and community groups play a crucial role in suicide prevention in Nigeria. The organisation’s founder, Dr Chime Asonye, made this statement on Saturday, during a virtual conference on suicide prevention titled ‘Community Mobilisation for Suicide Prevention in Nigeria,’ organised by the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group. Asonye expressed concern over the rising rates of suicide, suicidal ideation, and attempts in Nigeria, calling for stronger advocacy efforts to address the issue.
According to the World Health Organisation’s report of August 28, 2023, suicide is an act of deliberately taking one’s own life. The global health body declared that suicide is a serious public health problem, saying that suicides are preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. The WHO added that in 2019 suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally, stating that every year, 703,000 people take their own lives.
Speaking on the topic, “Mobilising CSOs/NGOs, International NGOs & Special Communities,” Asonye emphasised that suicide prevention required a multifaceted approach involving advocacy, awareness campaigns, support services, collaboration, research and data collection. He stressed the importance of advocacy efforts, including pushing for policy reforms such as the decriminalisation of suicide attempts and the implementation of the Mental Health Act. These reforms, he said, are crucial for advancing mental health initiatives and improving the overall mental health framework including suicide prevention in the country.
Asonye also highlighted the need for public education initiatives to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness. He advocated promoting help-seeking behaviours and enhancing support services, such as counselling and community-based mental health services, as key steps toward effective suicide prevention. On research and data collection, Asonye said, “Gathering data is essential for informing interventions, monitoring trends, and measuring the impact of suicide prevention efforts.
“This approach would help build a strong case for necessary reforms, particularly regarding the Mental Health Act, and convince stakeholders of their importance.” He further emphasised the need for collaboration, stating, “Partnering with government bodies, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders is crucial to creating a comprehensive support network for suicide prevention in the country.” Asonye also discussed various factors associated with suicide risk, such as perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, negative future disposition, stigma, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.
He referenced the Lagos State Mental Health Survey, which involved 11,246 adults across Lagos who completed questionnaires on suicidal ideation and related factors. “The study found a weighted prevalence of 7.28 per cent for current suicidal ideation.
Key associated factors included older age, being female, unmarried status, low occupational status, depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and disability. “It’s important to recognise that suicide risk is also elevated among other groups, including adolescents, older adults, individuals with a history of incarceration, and those who have lost a loved one to suicide. These statistics reflect the experiences of individuals facing profound challenges—real people in need of support.
” Looking ahead, Asonye emphasised the importance of maintaining robust networks among NGOs, CSOs, and community groups to foster a unified approach to suicide prevention. Asonye advocated for support and investment in research and innovation to develop new strategies and tools for suicide prevention, while also advocating for systemic change. Copyright PUNCH All rights reserved.
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