By Adedotun Ajayi

Regrettably, suicide cases are now common in Nigeria, there is hardly a day that suicide cases would not be recorded in the country. Shock and disbelief often accompany such reports, as people wonder why a person would take his or her life. No matter the story or how pathetic the situation for the suicide victim might be, people often do not approve of it.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It occurs throughout the lifespan and is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-old globally, after road accident, tuberculosis and interpersonal violence, with more than 700,000 people taking their own lives every year.

As common as death is, however, the way one dies is a serious concern, especially in the African setting. Death by suicide is a detested experience among Africans because there are various supports that should prevent this abrupt and self-destroying practice. Regrettably, in the face of communal resources that could address existential challenges, some persons still commit or attempt suicide.

Suicide is still a criminal offence in Nigeria. Under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, attempting to kill oneself carries a penalty of up to one year in prison.

“Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for one year,” the section states.

Just last week, A 300-level student of the University of Jos committed suicide over the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) nationwide.

The deceased, Henry Ehis, of the Department of Actuarial Science, Faculty of Management Science, of the University, was found dead last week at the Faculty.

The deceased left a short note on his lifeless body for his parents, expressing his dissatisfaction with the current ASUU strike.

A tipper driver, simply identified as Justice, last month, allegedly committed suicide over yet to be ascertained reason at Eagle Island in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The lifeless body of the man was found dangling with a rope tied on his neck and hanged on a tree at the back of Octopus Sandfill Jetty at Eagle Island.

Late last year, as Nigeria joined other countries to mark the year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, Dr Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, the President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN), linked the increasing suicide rate in the country to a lack of effective national suicide prevention strategy and non-passage of the Mental Health Bill. He also explained that the Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Policy is a whole document that includes measures such as addressing social, psychological, mental health and infrastructural determinants which involve improvement in mental healthcare services.

Also at the event, psychologist, Dr Yemi Atibioke, said preventing suicide was a collective responsibility and that everyone needed to work together by playing their roles. He said governments, employers, landlords, parents and other family members have roles in not driving people to commit suicide.

He said individuals should be sensitive to what could trigger mental health complications in their lives.

He said, “a woman that is already frustrated at home and gets to the office only to be under constant condemnation and frustration by her employers could resort to suicide.

“When children are experiencing condemnation from their parents, such as comparing them with some of their friends, they resort to suicide when they can no longer cope. So, it is good for parents to play their role.

He said when the government played its roles, the survival of the people would not be defeated and they would then be able to cope with stress, whether physiological, physical or economic

Ayodeji Ayanleye, Public health educator and Psychologist, said

“Suicidal people are psychotic. There are malevolent inner voices that often command self-destruction for unintelligible reasons. Psychosis is much harder to mask than depression, and arguably even more tragic. The worldwide incidence of schizophrenia is one percent and often strikes otherwise healthy, high-performing individuals, whose lives, though manageable with medication, never fulfill their original promises.

Schizophrenics are just as likely to talk freely about the voices commanding them to kill themselves as not, and also, in my experience, I give honest answers about thoughts of suicide when asked directly. Psychosis, too, is treatable and usually must be for a schizophrenic to be able to function at all. Untreated or poorly treated psychosis almost always requires hospital admission to a locked ward, until the voices lose their commanding power.

Similarly, a suicidal person can be impulsive. It is often related to drugs and alcohol. Some people become maudlin and impulsively attempt to end their own lives. Once sobered and calmed, these people usually feel emphatically ashamed. The remorse is usually genuine, and whether or not they’ll ever attempt suicide again is unpredictable. They may try it again the very next time they become drunk or high, or never again in their lifetime. Hospital admission is, therefore, not usually indicated. Substance abuse and the underlying reasons for it are generally a greater concern in these people and should be addressed as aggressively as possible”

Olakunle Grey, a clergyman, in his words admonished believers not to allow the devil steal their joy because that may lead to depression, the major cause of suicide.

“Suicide is more spiritual than natural. We all have what we face on a daily basis. There are problems everywhere, no doubt, but Satan exaggerates people’s problems, tells them there is no hope and the best thing is to take their lives. You shouldn’t take your life because there is hope for everyone.”

Bukun Obaise, a business developer, linked suicide attempts and their increasing rate in Nigeria to the loss of loved ones and unmet expectations.

He also attributed it to the economic situation, as well as the increase in crime rate. Many, he said, had been victims of one crime or the other, thereby increasing their depression and suicidal attempts.

“In this country as it is today, if you are able to feed three times a day, that’s a big privilege and shouldn’t be taken for granted at all. People are taking their own lives because they have seen the end of the road. They can’t even feed once a day. The economic situation in this country is believed to be the cause of suicide. When our economy is better, suicide rate will definitely reduce”.

Ayomide Olupona, a scientist and student counselor, said people see suicide as a perfect way to hide from their failures and fear.

“Just last week, I was deliberating with a colleague about this same issue. Come to think of it, most people committing suicide are those who probably have made obvious mistakes and bad decisions intentionally. For instance, you have no stable means of income, yet you have two wives and eight children. Now, the little means you have to make money doesn’t make up any longer. Just to dodge your responsibilities, the next thing that comes to mind is suicide. Now, let’s take it back to the young adults committing suicide. The major reason your parents sent you to school was to make good grades but you stopped attending classes, no extra effort towards studies or whatever. Now you are advised to withdraw. You feel you are a disappointment already and can’t face your parents. You use depression as an excuse and commit suicide. Suicidal people are just people who can’t face their fears”