Concern over surging suicide cases

TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO 

A local non-governmental organisation, Padare/Enkundleni has expressed concern over surging cases of suicide involving men.

Last year, Zimbabwe, according to official data from the World Health Organisation, had a suicide rate of 14 deaths per 100 000 people.

The male rate stood at 20%.

Although the WHO is still to release the 2022 figures, there has been a sharp rise of the suicide cases.

The men’s forum’s Matabeleland Provinces programmes officer, Ziphongezipho Ndebele, said the organisation was working on finding ways to assist men fight distress.

“Padare Enkundleni Men’s Forum on gender has noted with concern the high cases of suicides which are committed mainly by men in Zimbabwe.

Recently we have seen social media awash with men committing suicide because of different reasons. As an organisation we are trying all means to find ways of making sure that men get assistance not to commit suicide.

“As an organisation we are planning to have a campaign that will be directly address the issues of suicide but what I want to say at the moment for everyone is that we need to assist these people who have  suicidal tendencies,” he said.

Ndebele added: “What we need to do firstly is to be able to identify individuals who are suicidal and most suicidal individuals give warning signs and signal their intentions. So what we need to do is to recognise these warning signs.

“If you hear someone talking about suicide or showing signs of hopelessness, talking about unbearable feelings just know that the person is suicidal. The person needs assistance. “