SUICIDE: THE EPIC HORROR IN NIGERIAN HOMES.
Suicide and Nigerian Teens/Youths
The rate of suicide in Nigeria is very high. The highest rate in Africa. As at 2019, Nigeria had 12% rate. It has become a Public Health concern . https://allafrica.com/stories/201905210071.html Suicide is a deliberate act of taking your life. It is usually an attempt to escape from life. Attempted suicide is an unsuccessful effort in killing yourself.
Causes of Suicide for Nigerian Youths.
There are very many reasons for the rise in Youth/Teenage suicide. Statistics show that more males commit suicide. Most suicides are instigated by disillusionment. Young people have lofty dreams of achievements. These dreams are crushed. Some of the immediate causes include:
- Drug abuse
- Mental Health issues like Depression
- Broken Homes
- Economic desperation
- Inability to manage failure
- Life challenges and disillusionment
- Chronic Illness
- Unrequited love
The Tears Flow
#Walter
Walter, suddenly became quiet and withdrawn. Unemployment weighed him down. His sick, widowed mother struggled to pay his fees. He had hoped to be her support. His fiancee breaks their engagement. She wanted a big wedding. Walter took to drinking to forget. Disillusioned and frustrated, he felt hopeless. Walter went job hunting in his friend’s office. He sent in his application letter. Walter went to the top most floor of the office building and jumped to his death. Walter was just 20. And the tears flowed.
#Stella
Stella suffered from Sickle Cell Disease. This disease is a debilitating chronic disease. It leads to many complications. Sufferers experience extremely painful episodes. Stella had the very worst form of this blood disorder. Stella’s parents were in the middle of a divorce. Stella was deeply depressed. The pain was too much . One morning she did not wake up. Stella had died. Suicide was alleged. She had swallowed the entire bottle of her pain medication. Stella was just 18. And the tears flowed.
#The Twins
Angel And Angela were a set of twins. Their Mum worked in the Oil and Gas industry. She worked hard. Dad spent time at home with the girls. Angel and Angela ran away from home . They ran to their Aunty’s house . Both of them were pregnant. Mum and Aunty beat the hell out of the two girls. They vanished again and committed suicide. Dad was responsible for the pregnancies. They were just 17. And the tears flowed.
#Ikem
Ikem had been fighting drug addiction. He insisted the world was sinful. Ikem planned on going to heaven on a certain day. He told his Dad who did not take it serious. Ikem jumped into River Niger. He was a troubled youth of 20. And the tears flowed.
There are many more case studies. https://youth-journal.org/15-nigerian-students-reportedly-lost-to-suicide-cases-in-8-m
Risk Indicators of Teens/Youth Suicide
There are factors that make suicide possible. It is important to note . Some risk factors are:
- Use of Anti depressants
- Substance abuse
- Mental Health issues
Recommended Treatment
Suicide is treatable. Mental Health Professionals can help. These are recommended.
- Psychotherapy
- Medication
- Life style changes
https://www.healthline.com/health/suicide-and-suicidal-behavior#treatment More help is available .
Prevention of Suicide
Suicide is avoidable. Psychiatrists insist that suicide can be prevented. It can. The family has vital roles to play in the prevention. The community and the government. All stake holders must be responsible to make prevention successful. Some helping steps are:
- Communication with teenagers
- Set achievable expectations
- Never ignore a threat of suicide
- Close monitor of one who had attempted suicide
- Eliminate available means of suicide
- Mental Health issue must be seen as a medical emergency
- Accept mental health as illness not stigma
- Early identification of risk factors https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Ten-Things-Parents-Can-Do-to-Prevent-Suicide.
Nigeria has a large population of youths. She needs this population to sustain an already ailing economy. Let’s kick suicide. Let’s save our youths. The youths are the future of any nation.
10 Comments
Pastor Adenigbagbe Paul
I’m glad to have to be reached with this article. I will ensure I use the information to help others. Well done!
Anya Chuku
Warning signs of suicide may include:
Preoccupation with death (e.g., recurring themes of death or self-destruction in artwork or written assignments
Intense sadness and/or hopelessness
Not caring about activities that used to matter
Social withdrawal from family, friends, sports, social activities
Substance abuse
Sleep disturbance (either not sleeping or staying awake all night)
Giving away possessions
Risky behavior
Lack of energy
Inability to think clearly/concentration problems
Declining school performance/increased absences from school
Increased irritability
Changes in appetite etc.
Chidiebere Okite
SUICIDE
+DEFINITION
Suicide is a voluntary and intentional taking of one’s own life leading to death.
+It has become a serious concern considering the number of both attempted suicide and completed suicide world over. More women attempt suicide more than men, but more men complete the suicide process. In recent times, a lot of young people have been involved.
+SOME BASICS
# Every human being was created by God. Thus, you don’t own your life and you do not have the right to take the life that is not your own.
# Thus, suicide is a direct rejection of God’s ownership and right over your life. It is a sin against God.
# God’s plan is to give everyone LIFE, but Satan has come to steal, to kill and to destroy, John 10:10. Thus, Satan is the one that leads people to suicide.
# The plan of God for all of us is good and He desires to bring us to an expected end.
+CAUSES
The major cause of suicide is depression which could be triggered off by many factors.
+SIGNS OF SUICIDE
Things that can suggest that one might be tending to suicide:
1. Excessive sadness or moodiness including mood swings.
2. Feeling of hopelessness. A deep sense of hopeless about the future.
3. Sleep problems and disorder.
4. Sudden calmness after a period of depression or moodiness.
5. Withdrawal – choosing to be alone and avoiding friends etc
6. Dangerous and self harmful behavior e.g reckless driving, increased use of alcohol and drugs.
+REMEDIES
Medical science, especially psychiatrist have helped a lot of people.
Care groups and social counseling
God has offered hope to all humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Faith in Jesus and prayers can deliver us out of every oppressive mood. The yoke of Satan can be broken and set the oppressed free. This will involve counseling and prayers.
CONCLUSION
God loves each of us dearly and desires to give us the best. We must have hope as we prayerfully trust God to perfect all that concerns you. Above all, share your burdens with trusted and capable people, especially matured Christians and pastors.
Ikechukwu Nkuma California
Suicide is indeed a very sad phenomenon,the Africa societies at large are yet to embrace the harmful effects or causal factors of suicide. At least one out of seven in Africans families at some point in live has contemplated on suicide.The concept is a very delicate issue because situations that are considered suicidal in one community in another may not be; so the fight against suicide has to be from the root(families) which is the closest tie one can relate to.
Tamunokuro
Good work. Suicide is permanent solution to a temporal problem.
Chidiebere Okite
STILL ON THE MATTER
Depression and suicide works hand in hand. ….Oh!! You don’t know? The two are partners.
Depression may lead to suicide.
Suicides are as a result of depression.
Infact, the major cause of suicides is depression.
Check on people to know how they feel.
That piece called Art can be deceitful. Because he/she writes well, speaks well, dresses well, smiles etc… doesn’t mean they’re okay.
BE SENSITIVE AROUND YOU.!!
So many of us, our mouths are sharp swords…. It can pierce and cut.
Please, let us learn to use the right words on people. Right words like: (* It is well with you. * God bless you. * Jesus loves you. * Everything will be fine. ..etc…) and show it in acts, the way you talk and the way you think. Not words like: ( *Go to hell, * God punish you*I hate you * Foolish and useless man/woman…Boy/Girl. etc…)
Most of the religions,..if not all, teaches love.
From the christian perspectives, Spiritual Christianity is not enough. Let’s also practice and apply Practical Christianity( e.g You come across someone hungry and in need, is not enough to pray for the person and say God will provide for you. Make yourself an instrument of help for that person….at least for that very moment.)
Learn to use the right words.
Don’t be a reason why someone will get depressed, think about or consider suicide.
#Show love in the way you talk. Use the right and kind words.
#Show love in the way you think.
#Show love in the way you Act.
#Show more care… Show more love….no matter the cause and cost.
Don’t be the reason someone will consider suicide.
* Depression is REAL.
* Suicide is REAL.
BE SENSITIVE AROUND YOU.!!!👌🏻🙏🏻
Family Faculty
Very true. Depression and Suicide are partners.
Dr. Ngozi Oguike
I’ve actually imagined that NIGERIA had one of the lowest rates of suicide until this year when my son drew my attention to the rising cases in the past few years. This is a real challenge to our future as a nation.
Where I teach, it is mandatory to complete a suicide prevention training annually. This is very helpful so we’re able to deescalate stressful situations and help youth and families to manage situations that could otherwise lead to suicide and other depressing events.
Perhaps, Nigerian schools, colleges and universities could focus more on social emotional learning (SEL)..
Thanks again for an insightful article.
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