In commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day, Rotary International District 9127 has launched a project aimed at changing the narrative on suicide, particularly among young people.
The programme, which was themed: ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide,’ was held to commemorate the 2024 World Suicide Prevention.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at Garki Secondary in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the 9127 District 2024-2025 Governor, Rotarian Mike Nwanoshiri, said the engagement was to enlighten youths on appropriate ways to address issues that may result in suicide and other mental health challenges.
Nwanoshiri, who was represented by the past district governor, District 9127, Rotarian Mbanefo Ositadema Nnoka, emphasised the increasing rate of suicide in Nigeria, attributing it to economic hardship and frustration.
He said that suicide is not a solution to problems and encouraged people to seek help and associate with others, saying that suicide affects all age groups and socio-economic classes, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
According to him, the organisation chose to focus on young people, aiming to “catch them young” and educate them that suicide is not an option.
“Honestly, we all know that we are in difficult times in this country now. Because of the economic situation, we have all found ourselves. There is nobody in this country who is not feeling the hardship in the country at the moment.
“Though we had suicide before, it is on the increase right now. Everywhere people are frustrated, people are depressed, and then we find out that suicide has been on the increase. People who are tired of life, want to take up their lives.
“Both the young and the old. It does not happen among the old alone. It does not happen among the young alone, even school children. That is why we are in school today, to sensitise them and let them know that the best thing is not to take your life when you are tired of life.
“You need to associate with people, talk to people. Let your friends and people around you know how you feel. Seek help and see whether people can assist you in whatever you are suffering. We also find out that even the rich, even the society even across the world, and the rich and the poor, even the rich also commit suicide,” he said.
District governor-elect, Dame Princess Joy Okoro, reiterated the need for collective involvement in preventing suicide, saying that advocacy and education as key strategies, particularly among youths.
Okoro stressed that early intervention is crucial in addressing societal issues, mostly in homes where most children exhibit suicidal tendencies.
“Parents should be involved, both the man and the woman, the husband and the wife, they should all be involved. Listen to your children, know their problems, and interact with them. The role of parenting is not for the woman alone, it’s for both. When both are together and they try to talk about their homes, how the homes should grow.
“There is no way we can be having issues of a child committing suicide. From a recent publication I saw, a child of 17 years committing suicide, where has he gone? What has he seen? What is the problem for him to start taking his life voluntarily? So we have to be at it and emphasise more on the way out of it,” she said.
Also, the Rotary Club Project Chairperson Rtn Ifidon Vurinrin Anita, emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues, citing research that shows 70 per cent of suicidal acts occur between ages 15 and 29.
“Suicide is not an option, nor is it the answer to any problem. There are other ways to overcome mental health challenges, such as depression, frustration, and anxiety,” she said.
She said that the Rotary Club, in partnership with mental health experts and certified counsellors, provided confidential counselling sessions for students.
Anita noted that the organization aims to reach areas where government support may be limited. “We are working hand-in-hand with the government to sensitize and create awareness that suicide is not the solution,” she said.
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