To commemorate the 2023 World Suicide Prevention Day, which was observed globally on September 10, Jumoke Olasunkanmi writes on suicide trends in Nigeria – a country which was rated as having the happiest people in the world – and practical ways to help people who may be enduring difficult times.
Death, no matter how it comes, is a loss. Sadly, Nigeria has been experiencing an ugly rise; with banditry, diseases and economic hardship which contributes to health and social challenges in the country, among others. These deaths not only affect the deceased but send a ripple effect to relatives, friends, and society at large. It is even worse when it is the person who took his or her own life.
Just last month, a video of an attempt by Lagos socialite and popular entrepreneur, Farida Sobowale, to end her life on third mainland bridge went viral across the country. Before then, in July, a resident of Shata village in Niger State took the suicide route over his inability to repay a N250,000 debt. This is similar to the case of Samuel Adegoke, a 200-level student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, who took his life after losing his school fees to online sports betting.
Many similar stories abound, and while it may appear that people are attempting to take their lives over what others may consider trivial such as heartbreak, debt or financial incapacities, Psychologist Ola Oluwadamilola explained that the driving force is deep-seated mental health issues, usually depression.
Nigerians were the happiest people in the world, so what happened?
Nigerians used to be among the happiest people in the world, according to a 2003 research reported by BBC. In 2015, Nigerians were ranked the 2nd happiest people in Africa. However, a steady decline has been noted since 2016. Nigeria is now the 95th happiest nation in the world and sixth in Africa, according to the latest edition of the World Happiness Report, released in March 2023.
There is a link between suicide mortality and depression as low and middle-income countries with economic hardship account for over 77 per cent of suicides across the world.
Oluwadamilola blames this rising suicide mortality on the dearth of mental health facilities in the country.
According to Africa Polling Institute’s 2020 survey report, about 30 per cent of Nigerians had one form of mental illness or the other. This is alarming considering that the current psychiatrist-to-patient ratio is one to one million, according to the president of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Taiwo Obindo.
Ms. Oluwadamilola explained that the best way to address the high rate of suicide and curb attempts is access to proper mental healthcare.
“The economic situation of the country is enough to bite even the strongest individual. The best way to address the high rate of suicide and suicide attempts is to create an environment where people have access to quality psychotherapy services,” she stated.
In addition, she explained that laws guiding mental health in Nigeria need an overhaul as they are outdated and ineffective. Specifically, she faulted Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act which reads: “Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of misdemeanor, and is liable to imprisonment.”
Ms. Oluwadamilola explained that what suicidal people need is empathy, not punishment.
“Punishment people who attempt to take their own lives should be outdated already, you’ll only be pushing them further into depression. Instead, the government should provide therapy for survivors of attempted suicide,” she explained.
A growing trend among youths
For a country where suicide is considered a taboo and attributed to evil mystical forces, mental health issues have become a serious cause for concern in Nigeria. According to a 2021 research published by the National Library of Medicine, young people in their thirties tend to exhibit more suicidal behaviour.
The most recent World Bank data on suicide mortality (2018) shows that Nigeria accounts for 3.5 percent per 100,000 of suicide deaths globally, that is 3,500 out of every 100,000 suicide deaths. In Lagos alone, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) recorded 82 suicide cases between January to July 2023.
President Bola Tinubu has promised to renew the hope of Nigerians by making their lives better through his administration’s programmes and policies. It is hoped that they will address the underlying issues driving suicidal behaviour in the country and restore it to its pride of place in the World Happiness Index.
