Why we need to talk about suicide

Mar 27, 2017

It is predicted that by 2020 the rate of death will increase to one every 20 seconds

By Moses Kimuli

It is transfer season or almost and as a Manchester United fan, I am eagerly waiting for the latest transfer targets lying on my bed in my small room in Fareham, Hampshire United Kingdom there is breaking news on BBC news page.

Gary Speed (RIP) Former Bolton wanderers player and Wales football team coach found dead at his home, I had watched Gary Speed on match of the day (A football programme where ex footballers give their views on days games) the previous night on BBC TV .He must have been shot dead or slid in his bathroom I start speculating before the real cause is announced on the website.

It's officially finally out he was found hanged in his garage and Police are not looking for any suspects in his death. The inquest into his death takes months hearing from his wife and close friends before the coroner concludes it was SUICIDE. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that each year approximately one million people die from suicide, which represents a global mortality rate of 16 people per 100,000 or one death every 40 seconds.

It is predicted that by 2020 the rate of death will increase to one every 20 seconds.

Having been brought up in Uganda and in a community where people only hang themselves because of rent arrears, divorce, poverty and witchcraft ,I start wondering what led Gary Speed hang himself he is a multi-millionaire and has a job and a lovely family. Okay some footballers have been have been found to have fallen in debt and depressed after their careers and in trying to keep the celebrity status they fall in debt and get frustrated but in Gary speed, nothing to do with Debt came up during the inquiry into his death. Apart from having a small argument with his wife that night nothing else was found.

Having been brought up in a community where suicide is serious condemned and the body of the suicide victim is humiliated in the best way including canning it, not showing any remorse and some religious leaders not praying for the late these according to the society I was brought up are strict measures to deter others from committing this awful act.

Rio Ferdinand (former Manchester united captain and a famous football player) this week in his programme" life as a lone parent" talks about  life after the death of his young wife at the age of 33 years due to cancer he talks about thinking of ending his life and how he turned to alcohol to cope with the pain of losing his wife leaving three young children behind for him to raise on his own .He admits having in the past judged people who take their own lives as selfish and none serious his opinion changes drastically after the death of his wife. He now knows what suicide victims go through before taking their lives.

Having suffered the same demons at some stage in my life and as a qualified mental health specialist I concur with Rio Ferdinand ay some in life you can feel like ending your life as depression takes its toll on you. I had alot going on in my private life and found it hard to sleep what followed is a big bout of depression and I was lucky to have gone out of it credit to the support from my mother and friends I was determined to beat depression.

Speaking to one of the professors of Makerere University who recently lost his son due to suicide, I find out that we need to do alot to raise suicide awareness. His son had travelled to their village and drank poison after calling his father telling him about what he was about to do efforts to save his life were futile. He had been dating a gal who he had recently found that she had HIV.I told him to be strong and go back to work and stop being a child he says, how do you kill yourself because of a gal and HIV he rants? A professor with no knowledge of mental illness? How sad i start believing ,does this professor know that depression knows no religion, education qualifications and wealth??

Depression is for the weak minded many argue. But what is Depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel the way you think and how you act.  Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. ... Feeling sad or having a depressed mood.

What causes Depression? Sometimes there's a trigger for depression. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, losing your job or even having a baby, can bring it on.

People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it themselves. But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason. Depression is fairly common, affecting about one in 10 people at some point during their life. It affects men and women, young and old.

Studies have shown that about 4% of children aged five to 16 in the UK are anxious or depressed.

Can depression be treated? Treatment for depression can involve a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medication. Your recommended treatment will be based on whether you have mild, moderate or severe depression.

If you have mild depression, your doctor may suggest waiting to see whether it improves on its own, while monitoring your progress. This is known as "watchful waiting". They may also suggest lifestyle measures such as exercise and self-help groups.

Talking therapies, such as Cognitive Behaviour therapy, are often used for mild depression that isn't improving or moderate depression. At times are also sometimes prescribed.

For moderate to severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often recommended. If you have severe depression, you may be referred to a specialist mental health team for intensive specialist talking treatments and prescribed medication. Living with Depression- Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise, abstaining from drinking alcohol and healthy eating

Reading a self-help book or joining a support group are also worthwhile. They can help you gain a better understanding about what causes you to feel depressed. Sharing your experiences with others in a similar situation can also be very supportive.

My request to all religious leaders in Uganda is stop condemning suicide victims and encourage people to seek counselling and support during times when they are feeling hopelessness. Refusing to pray for suicide victims or condemning them is sweeping a serious condition killing our people under the carpet and promoting stigma for people suffering from serious mental illness.

And to parents out there please notice any changes in your children's behaviours and talk to them and encourage and support them to seek help don't judge them.

Suicide is not a sign of weakness, not for the poor but can affect everyone with a brain so let's rally against suicide just as we have done with other diseases like polio and other diseases.

Writer is a mental health specialist practising in the UK

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